Fort Myers police ride the streets with youth

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FORT MYERS, Fla.- Officers with the Fort Myers Police Department hit the streets Wednesday night to connect with children in Dunbar, one of the most crime-ridden communities.

Kameron Lewis, 17, is growing up in Dunbar, an area that often makes headlines for gun violence.

“I dont like it. I can’t understand the crimes, I don’t like it,” said Lewis.

On Wednesday, Lewis and other children got to build new relationships with Fort Myers police.

“It shows the police who I really am,” said Lewis.

“What I see from a lot of these teens getting in trouble, they lack the proper resources and the proper guidance from different organizations,” said Jesse Bryson with “I Will” Mentorship Foundation.

The foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth, and set up the bike ride through the community. All of the bikes were donated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the kids restored them.

“Brings the community and law enforcement together to see that they can make a difference together, that we are not on two separate teams, that we are on one team,” said Bryson.

Fort Myers Police Chief Dennis Eads is working to bring the community together to showcase the good people of Dunbar and all of Fort Myers. Eads says the sight of teens and officers riding together is also a message to the criminals.

“Tells them that hey, they are not welcome. Either they get on board or they get out,” said Eads.

The rides are scheduled for:

  • Wednesday, Dec. 9 from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., St. Mary Missionary Baptist Church
  • Wednesday, Dec.16 from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., Friendship Baptist Church
  • Thursday, Dec. 17 from 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., Quality of Life Center
  • Friday, Dec. 18, 5 p.m.- 6 p.m., Stars Complex

For more information contact Gina Frazier with the “I Will” Mentorship Foundation at 239-540-0388 or email her at gfrazier@iwmf2.org. You can also visit www.iwmf2.org.

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