Oklahoma City Police Department Hosting Jammin Hoops Fest

The Oklahoma City Police Department’s F.A.C.T unit is all about building positive community relationships, and one of the best ways to do that is with a basketball.

“F.A.C.T. stands for family awareness and community teamwork and we mentor all the kids from ages 12 to 18 in the Oklahoma City metro area,” said Sgt. Erica Jackson with the OKCPD F.A.C.T. Unit.

The group of officers go into schools and communities, bridging the gap between kids and police officers.

“So, in the F.A.C.T. unit especially, we’re on a first name basis with a lot of the students just because it brings down that sense of police and students so it kind of breaks that barrier,” said Jackson.  

One of the activities that helps break down those barriers is the Jammin Hoops Fest.

“It’s open to everybody in the community, in Oklahoma City are welcome to come out here and play,” said Jackson.

Teams will be selected from the participants with two courts set up for the older and younger kids.

“We’re having snow cones, popcorn, snacks, a DJ, lots of different things, so it will be a really fun community event,” said Jackson.

Oklahoma City police officers will be present to coach and referee. There’ll be giveaways and gift cards for the participants, but those are not necessarily given for performance on the court.

“A lot of kids think that is going to be based on how well they play, but they will sure see that our whole unit is based upon character building,” said Jackson.

The basketball is for ages 8 to 17, but there will be activities for all ages, and bleachers will be set up for those that have reached the spectator age.

“When you do come, you do have to register and we’ll have a registration table, so bring your parents because they do have to fill out a waiver for you to play,” said Jackson.

The fun is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Northeast center on the corner of Northeast 33rd and Lottie.

“We’ll also have EMSA out here and the fire department out here too because I know that it will be a pretty hot day, so we’ll have plenty of water, plenty of Gatorade and everything there going,” said Jackson.

For those planning on coming out.

“Please, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate it will be a very hot day,” said Jackson.