Watsonville Police Giving Away Soccer Balls To Youth

WATSONVILLE, CA — The next time you see a Watsonville officer on patrol they may be making a traffic stop, responding to a call for service or they may be playing soccer. Officers in the department are randomly giving away soccer balls to children in the community in an effort to “foster strong community relations” while getting to know the community.

Police said the idea to give away the soccer balls came from a May conference hosted by the Monterey County Building Safe & Thriving Communities Initiative - Regional Network about preventing violence.

A young woman at the conference suggested officers get out of their cars, grab a soccer ball and play with kids in the community who may be alone or in need of a friend.

Video, screenshot courtesy WPD