Task force event connects Albany's youth with law enforcement

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) - The Albany Law Enforcement Resolution Team, also known as, ALERT, held an event at the MVP Arena on Saturday. The event, called the All Star Sports and Skills Challenge, aimed to bring the region's law enforcement officials together with Albany's youth through various competitive activities.

ALERT is made up of 14 federal, state, and local agencies that act as a task force. The organization's creation stemmed from a fatal incident between local law enforcement and an Albany teen in 2016.

A couple thousand children attended the event, along with the organization's 14 agencies. The goal of the event was to build trust between Albany's law enforcement and the communities they serve.

Children engaged in inflatable sports games, such as axe throwing and soccer, as well as, relay races, and tug of war. They played these games with several law enforcement officers. Kids were also given the chance to try on fire safety uniforms.

Pastor David Traynham, the founder of ALERT, said that the event was held for more than just fun and games, and was also aimed at building trust between the community and law enforcement.

"If we can do it at a young age and introduce them to some of these positive role models, it is also going to change the inequity that is in these various law enforcement agencies," he said.

Members of ALERT, like Craig Tremaroli, a Special Agent in Charge of the Albany FBI Field Office, said being a part of an event like this, that interacts with children, helps kids see law enforcement officials as a resource, not as somebody to fear.

"Violence in Albany is the utmost importance and law enforcement and our community," he said. "Oftentimes, kids, adults see things, they are bystanders. What we are looking for is for them to see something, and say something. If they have relationships with law enforcement at these events, hopefully they have the confidence to call us, report anonymous tips, so we can get into the community and solve crime."

The task force is hoping that the event inspires kids to do good in their community and form new relationships with law enforcement, as well as, potentially joining one of these agencies in the future.