The 13th Annual "Stop the Violence" Futsal (5-a-side Indoor Soccer) Tournament will be organized on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6, 2008 at the Gaithersburg Activity Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. This two-day soccer event will feature men and women adult law enforcement agency teams from both the United States and abroad. The City of Gaithersburg Police and Montgomery County Police Maryland will be the host agencies.
The City of Gaithersburg Police and the Montgomery County Police Maryland pride themselves on community involvement. The Kids With Cops program is part of their Youth Community Outreach Program.
Police officers assist underprivileged children by providing a soccer enrichment program that teaches them the game of soccer. The program focuses on developing a youth soccer players fundamentals, teamwork, camaraderie and the spirit of the game.
However, it is more than a soccer program. Their positive interaction within the community in which they patrol has proven to be essential to the community’s growth. Their involvement in after-school programs has proven to be a positive crime prevention tactic by providing guidance and educating our nation’s children. The program helps keep children off the streets and the needless risk of becoming involved in gangs, drugs, alcohol and criminal activity. With proper funding, this program will reduce crime and violence, and help children learn the skills and values they need to become good neighbors and responsible adults.
This tournament will directly benefit these children, keep them off the streets and help us “Stop the Violence”.
The event will also raise funds for police officers and their families who are in need of financial support due to a tragic on the job injury or death.
It is extremely important for law enforcement agencies to come together in support of organizations that provide assistance to the families of our law enforcement and firefighting colleagues that have given the ultimate sacrifice for their community. By working together to "Stop the Violence" we may save a colleagues life.
