The police chief in Grand Prairie is hoping some one-on-one time with kids, will keep them out of trouble--or two-on-two and three-on-three.
Midnight Basketball is in its second year at the YMCA off of Carrier Parkway and Queens Way.
It is a free program where the youth get to spend time bonding with police officers over a common hobby.
About 80 teens showed up for the event Thursday evening, about double the amount from last year.
"They get to be here after the Y closes, for a little bit, so they think that's kind of neat. But it also gives them a positive outlet at least one night a week to be doing things in the late night hours that are somewhat positive and constructive," said David Foster at YMCA Grand Prairie.
The teens are referred by the Grand Prairie school district or the police department.
The Y says many of them come from families without a strong male role model, so having police officers and other city leaders to look up to was a huge benefit to them.
