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In Englewood, kids and cops find common ground on baseball diamond

An Englewood group aims to mend the relationship between police and the community.

By  Andrew Gill and Kathy Chaney
   
SHARE In Englewood, kids and cops find common ground on baseball diamond

Strained relationships between the police and the community are unfortunately common in many cities, and Chicago is no different. From the acquittal of Chicago police officer Dante Servin for killing Rekia Boyd, to the shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald by two Chicago officers, the trust in law enforcement remains shaky.

One South Side community group aims to help mend the fences by getting Chicago cops and kids from Englewood playing baseball together. Teamwork Englewood organized the Englewood Police/Youth Baseball League earlier this year to get cops in a coaching and mentoring role. The co-ed league is housed at Hamilton Park and the teams are almost ready for opening day on June 24.

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