Law enforcers in the Tri-Cities will be hitting the hardwood and showing off their ball-handling skills in a charity basketball game.
The Camp SARC Crusaders, a team of 20 police, deputies, prosecutors and probation officers, will take on the Harlem Ambassadors at 7 p.m. Friday at Southridge High School in Kennewick.
"A lot of players stepped up knowing these guys are going to run circles around us," said Kennewick police Capt. Trevor White, the team's captain. "We're going to play around and have a lot of fun."
Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller is the honorary team captain.
The Harlem Ambassadors play entertainment-style basketball, with high-flying slam dunks, tricks and loads of family fun.
Money raised from the game will benefit Camp SARC, a weeklong summer camp put on by the Sexual Assault Response Center.
Thirty kids who have been victims of sex abuse, physical abuse or witnesses to violence will get to attend the day camp this June, said JoDee Garretson, SARC executive director.
"It helps kids with self-esteem," Garretson said, adding that it costs $9,500 for 30 kids to go to the camp.
That is why she was thrilled to get a team together to hit the court with the Harlem Ambassadors.
"I hope people will come and see law enforcement officers and prosecutors having fun," Garretson said. "It speaks to how fortunate we are in the Tri-Cities and how agencies work together so well."
Agencies with representatives on the Camp SARC Crusaders team include the Kennewick, Pasco and Richland police departments, Benton County and Franklin County sheriff's offices and prosecutor's offices, Washington State Patrol and the juvenile justice center.
White said the game, in addition to raising money for a good cause, is a good way for kids and others in the community to see police having fun.
"We're the ones who are straight-laced and not smiling," he said, but added they're "all going to go out and have fun."
Advance ticket costs are $7 for students and seniors and $9 for adults. Tickets purchased at the door will be $9 for students and seniors and $11 for adults. Kids 4 and younger are free.
Tickets can be purchased at the SARC office, 830 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Suite H in Kennewick.
