South Bend officer bridges gaps with kids through hoops and new nets in the community

South Bend, IN — We’ve all seen police officers patrolling neighborhoods and we assume they’re out fighting crime.

What we don’t think is that they might be looking for broken basketball nets.

One South Bend officer is doing just that while also getting in a game or two.

It all started after COVID as a way to bridge the gap of engagement, now Officer Joseph Cole looks forward to occasional one on one hoop sessions with kids in the community.

“If I see a torn net or messed up net I try to find the owner and then replace the nets. So I drive around with nets and basketballs,” said Officer Joseph Cole.

Officer Cole, a community resource officer, patrols the north and southwest sides of South Bend.

With a passion for basketball he’s making a building connections one hoop session at a time.

“I come I ask about the net I’ll play hoops with them I’ll educate them a little with their shots stuff like that and that’s the end of it. They just have that positive experience with no attachments,” said Officer Cole.

It all started back in 2020.

Officer Cole’s favorite player is Kobe Bryant and he used to pass out books about Kobe with a note from himself.

Officer Cole says it’s fulfilling after engaging with kids after a quick game, knowing he’s a left a positive interaction and a lasting difference with how some may see police.

“I feel good that when they see a police officer pull up on the block its not always a first negative thought in their brain. It could be something as positive as are they here to play basketball again or something like that, so I always feel good after hooping it up in the streets,” said Officer Cole.

There’s always a why, and for Officer Cole its just the love of game, helping kids perfect their skills, and most importantly showing up in a positive light.

“Having those people have a great experience with a police officer that’s in their neighborhood, in their block or at open gym. So I’m happy to do it and happy to have the opportunity as a community resource officer to have the ability and opportunity to do it,” said Officer Cole.

Officer Cole says the intent behind it all is to just put a smile on kids’ faces and for them to say they’ve had a good interaction with an officer.