Just kidding. Needed a headline grabber.
But it’s kind of true.
A Sergeant with the Lakewood Police Department (LPD), acting on a tip, investigated and decided the numbers didn’t add up.
The Lady Lions of Lochburn Middle School had a total of two (2) official game basketballs.
Two.
For nearly 40 girls.
With less than two weeks to tip-off, 25 basketballs are being shared with the boy’s program and Physical Education.
It’s a crime.
That’s why the police showed up.
Here’s how it went down according to the police report.
“One of our Sergeants recently saw a Facebook post from the Lochburn Middle School girls’ basketball coach, lamenting the fact that the 35 girls on her basketball team only had 2 basketballs to use amongst them for practice.”
(Upon further investigation it was discovered the sharing-status of basketballs noted above that were available but nonetheless in limited supply and that the number of girls turning out is nearly 40.)
Back to the officer’s account.
“While the school intended to purchase more, they would not arrive for some time and it was making their practices difficult to say the least.”
This is when the Sergeant called for backup.
“The Sergeant contacted the Lakewood Officers Charity and asked if we could help. Of course, we said yes! Thanks to the donations we receive from all of you, we were able to purchase an additional 7 basketballs to help tide the girl’s team over until the school could order more!”
A squad car pulled up to the school November 20 and officers – one uniformed, the other undercover – made their presents (purposeful) known.
And now you know the ‘arrest’ of the story.
Almost.
It is important, in cases like this, to say something if you see something. The Lakewood Police develop profiles over time and each incident can eventually lead to a positive outcome.
Like the one above.
And like those the Lakewood Officer’s Charity has benefitted since it was established in 2008.
The Officer’s Charity maintains two funds – the Make A Difference Fund to help the community, and the Fallen Officer Fund to assist fallen and injured Officers and their immediate households.
If you suspicion that there are funds within your means available and would like to divulge that information to the LPD but prefer to remain anonymous, you can.
Here’s the officer spokesperson again: “Want to donate and help us with our next call to arms? You can do that here.
You can also take girl’s game official basketballs to Lochburn at 5431 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499.
Go Lochburn Lady Lions! And thank you LPD.
Pictured left to right: Lt. Andy Gildehaus, board member of the Officer’s Charity; and Sergeant Peter Johnson (who started the ball rolling).
Mr. Anderson,
You got my day started with your article. Thanks for the fun headline action. I too love playing with my headlines when I write. I usually have 2 or 3 possible headlines and I am always interested in making them fun or intriguing for the reader. Nice job, David.
A second thanks to you for sharing a positive police story. Most writers and our biased press only want to write negative police stories even to the point of telling lies and attempting to spread ignorance.
I appreciate your having focussed the spotlight on a positive police story.
Joseph Boyle
That was a great thing the Lakewood Police Department did for these kids. Thank you so much! I worked for years at Lochburn. When I started there the kids were going without the athletic equipment and uniforms they needed. I worked with the coaches on the budget for a 5 year plan doing fund raisers so they would never have this happen again. It makes me sad to hear this and once again I thank Lakewood Police for providing these balls.