Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Hosts Second Annual Hoops Fest to Combat Gun Violence

Lina Portman2 weeks ago

0 1 minute read

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – For the second year in a row, Jefferson County Sheriff Mark Pettway is working to combat gun violence by bringing people together around basketball. The sheriff says he wants people to shoot hoops and not each other.

For three weekends, the sheriff's office is hosting three-on-three basketball tournaments to bring people together around gun violence.

“This is the second year we have held a hoop festival. Children of all ages, men and women, we had a great time playing. They appreciated it. Once the season was over, they were ready to do more. They wanted to go there all year round. We told them we couldn’t do it all year, but we would do it again next year, so here we are doing it again,” he said. “I want people in this age group to get to know each other and see who we are as a community. Put down your weapons. The only thing I want them to shoot is the hoops. So let's put down our weapons and get to know each other through a sports game and compete that way.

Starting Saturday and then two more weekends after that, the sheriff said they were looking to bring together the 18-30 age group to move the conversation forward on conflict resolution after seeing so much violence in the community. Click here for more information.

Saturday's tournament will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Bessemer Recreation Center. Registration is free if you haven't already, just show up at 8 a.m. to register.

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