A Tarrant County community leader is hoping to strengthen relationships between students and police officers through sports.
FORT WORTH, Texas — Former Dunbar High School student and Fort Worth community leader Darryl Washington is hoping to strengthen relationships between students and police officers through a friendly softball game designed to end the school year on a positive note.
“This is my way of doing something positive in our community,” Washington said.
Washington organized the event after a video of a school fight involving Dunbar students spread online and drew negative attention to the Fort Worth school. Dunbar High is where Washington’s heart is, despite relocating to the Arlington ISD area during his senior year.
Wanting students to see another side of law enforcement, Washington helped bring together students, teachers, police officers, and first responders for a community softball game. Fort Worth ISD state-appointed Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata even participated by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Licata will be side-by-side with Texas State Representative Nicole Collier, who will also throw a first pitch ball simultaneously. But it’s the camaraderie with officers and students that’s most important to Washington.
“I think the better relationship a police officer has with our community, the better way we’re gonna solve crime,” Washington said.
Fort Worth police officers say events like the game give them a chance to connect with students outside of emergencies while also reinforcing safety messages ahead of summer break.
“Gives them an opportunity to go out there and kind of reiterate the things that are coming around this summer, make sure the kids are safe, they do stay active,” Fort Worth Police Officer Nestor Martinez said.
Community leaders and law enforcement agencies across North Texas are already preparing for the summer months, when violence involving teens and young people often increases.
In Dallas, Police Chief Daniel Comeaux recently joined city and school leaders to promote youth summer programs and encourage young people to avoid violence.
“I’m talking directly to our youth, if you have a problem or beef with someone, don’t try to solve it with violence,” Comeaux said. “Let’s figure out how to work it together. Let’s get mentors involved.”
Another Fort Worth community leader is also stepping in with a new effort aimed at preventing violence before it starts. Fort Worth Community Leader Shannon Kneeland is also hoping to address youth conflict throughout North Texas this summer.
Dynamic Education Learning Center is launching a teen conflict resolution and leadership training program called “P.E.A.C.E. Over Problems,” designed for boys and girls ages 12 through 18. The program plans to teach teens how to stay calm during heated situations, avoid fights before they start, communicate without escalating conflict, and handle disagreements like leaders.
Organizers say the training will focus on real-life scenarios involving school drama, arguments with friends, social media conflict, anger, and frustration. The sessions are designed to give teens practical tools they can immediately use in everyday situations.
The two-session program is scheduled for June 6 and June 13 at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Evans Avenue in Fort Worth. Organizations interested in learning more about the “P.E.A.C.E. Over Problems” program and training can contact Kneeland at (872) 882-5063 or email staff@dynamicedurnetr.com.
Washington believes bringing officers and students together through sports and community events can help build trust and even inspire future careers in law enforcement.
“Some of these people may come to the game and decide they want to be a policeman,” Washington said.