CAPE POLICE ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR BASKETBALL CAMP

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is accepting applications for a one-day mini basketball camp Dec. 30.

Patrolman Roger Fields, who's organizing the event, said applications will be accepted from boys, ages 12-16, in the Cape Girardeau School District.

A total of 70 boys will be selected at random from among the applicants to participate in the camp, which will feature coaches from Southeast Missouri and players from Southeast Missouri State University.

"The camp will run from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Southeast Missouri State," Fields said. "Starting at 8, we'll have a brief orientation session, where uniformed police officers will talk with the kids.

"After that, the officers will shed their uniforms and put on work-out clothes, and the program will be turned over to area coaches and athletes."

The players and police officers will participate in various drills conducted by the coaches and Southeast players.

"In the afternoon, we'll break the kids up into eight teams and have a round-robin tournament," Fields said. "We intend to have awards for the winners and door prizes."

The Cape Girardeau Police Department is sponsoring the event, and applications can be picked up at the police department, 40 S. Sprigg, and the Cape Girardeau Civic Center, 232 Broadway. Applications must be turned in by Dec. 10.

The mini-camp is free and limited to students in the Cape Girardeau School District.

"It's a pilot program," Fields said. If it's successful, we might expand it the next time."

Fields said he's hoping officers will participate from the Cape Police Department, Southeast Missouri State University Department of Public Safety, and the Missouri Highway Patrol.

For more information, contact Fields or Sgt. Carl Kinnison at the Cape Girardeau Police Department, 335-6621.