FLORENCE – Basketball games, a golf tournament, backpack and medical kit drives are a few of the activities the newly-created nonprofit Florence Police Foundation is sponsoring in efforts to build bridges between the FPD and community.

The organization held its first event Saturday with Basketball & Badges at Cypress Pointe Housing basketball court. Games of H.O.R.S.E, Gotcha, free throw shooting pickup were held and food was available to residents who attended. Golf is next on the agenda May 13 with the Inaugural Police Week Tournament at Blackberry Trail Golf Course.

The mission of the Florence Alabama Police Foundation, according to its Facebook page, is to “strengthen relationships between the employees of the FPD and members of our diverse community in an effort to improve the quality of life and our public’s safety.’’

Joshua Meza, Community Relations Officer for FPD, said the department hopes the new endeavor will reduce the uniform’s intimidating presence and to help lower crime rates. 

“Some studies have shown community policing helps with reducing crime,” Meza said. “So we want to take as many measures as possible to help reduce crime and give back to the community.”