Off the Record’s goal is to reduce barriers to youth accessing recreational opportunities and connecting law enforcement and the community.
Through Building Safer Communities, Off the Record is a pilot partnership between the City of Lethbridge and the Lethbridge Police Service. The grant-funded program is through Public Safety Canada.
The program worked with LPS to host recreational events in public parks throughout the community. The program provides valuable mentorship opportunities with off-duty officers through sport.
“We work with youth in the community doing preventative measures to make sure they’re well connected. We have educators and case managers that work with social service providers and youth,” says Allison Sherry, case manager with the City’s Building Safer Communities program.
“After seeing the success of sports programs that have engaged youth in other communities, the Off the Record initiative was developed in partnership with LPS and has been a great addition to Lethbridge,” adds Sherry. “This program is designed to offer all young people a chance to participate in sports, while fostering meaningful relationships and providing guidance from police officers. By bridging the gap between athletic involvement and community support, Off the Record enhances both personal development and community connection.”
In the beginning, a needs assessment was completed and data showed youth were struggling to find opportunities for pro-social, low barrier and accessible activities, notes Sherry. “There was also some kind of disconnect between the police and the youth because of capacity. They’re overwhelmed with work.”
Police officers traded their uniforms for sports gear, creating an approachable environment for youth participating in recreational sports alongside them. The pilot project ran throughout July and August with three sessions and saw more than 60 youth and 20 off-duty officers participating in soccer and basketball in city parks.
Constable Chris Andrade with the LPS Community Resource Unit says the City consulted with the department to look into how youth can be engaged in a proactive and positive manner. “We got on board right away by saying sports is going to be a great way to engage the youth we are working with and from there, we just had to see if we could get some members within the police service to volunteer their time.”
The initiative promotes physical activity and teamwork, but also nurtures trust and mutual respect between law enforcement and the community.
Engagement with youth, Andrade adds, is always something officers are trying to do. “Right now, we’re kind of always caught up in a cycle of having to be there when things aren’t so good, we don’t have that opportunity for early intervention to build pro-social relationships with those kids.”
“We’re there to meet them in a park by where they live and have some fun,” says Andrade.
Events are planned for the upcoming months as the program looks to expand the initiative to reach even more young residents.
For more information on the Building Safer Communities program visit lethbridge.ca/CSD.
