by Michael DiBella
Chief, Lacey PD

LACEY–May 12, 2017, was a night of intense and competitive games of speedball at the Lacey Township Middle School. Over one-hundred 7th and 8th grade Middle School students participated in a double-elimination speedball tournament, ultimately resulting in one team being announced as the 2017 Lacey Middle School Speedball Tournament Champions. The tournament, which was coordinated by the Lacey Township Recreation Department, the Lacey Township Police Department and the Lacey Municipal Police Foundation, included free food and giveaways, provided by Lacey Township Recreation and the Municipal Alliance. Additionally, free team t-shirts (in various team colors) were provided to each Middle School student who participated, by the Lacey Municipal Police Foundation. Last evening’s tournament involved 10 teams of middle school students and several Lacey Township Police Officers who served as coaches and assistants.

The below picture depicts Officer Anthony Sarno looking on during one of the impressive games at last night’s Middle School Speedball Tournament.

The competition was very competitive with approximately 15 matches being completed before the final championship game. The championship game was between the “Flourescent Yellow Team” and “Golden-Rod Team,” with the Flourescent Yellow taking the victory after a very spirited hard-faught match.

Ten officers from the Lacey Township Police Department participated in the event, including: Chief Michael C. DiBella, Captain Patrick Ganley, Detective Dimitri Tsarnas, Officer Michael Hein, Officer George Resetar, Officer Anthony Sarno, Officer Scott Keefe, Officer Christopher Meyler, Officer Jason Lee and Officer Noah Schaffer. The members of the Lacey Township Police Department had an amazing evening serving as coaches and most of all interacting with the middle school students.

The below picture depicts an intense game between two teams (Maroon and Blue Teams) at last evening’s Lacey Middle School Tournament.

I want to truly thank everyone who participated in last evening’s event, including the students and staff of the Lacey Middle School, the families who attended and supported the event, the members of the Lacey Township Recreation Department and the members of the Lacey Township Municipal Alliance. In addition, I would like to thank all of my officers who participated. Building a positive relationship with the Officers of the Lacey Township Police Department and the students of our community remains a top priority for our agency. Moving forward the Lacey Township Police Department in coordination with the Lacey Township Recreation Department, will continue to foster these types of events for our kids. An additional Lacey Middle School Speedball Tournament might be forthcoming before the end of the year.

I would like to note that the next Gille Park Skate Park Evening Event will be held next Friday, May 19th, 2017, beginning at 6pm. There will be a live DJ playing music, along with a new Gaming Trailer made possible by the Lacey Municipal Police Foundation and the Lacey Municipal Alliance. Additionally, the Lacey Township Junior Policy Academy is scheduled to take place between July 10th and July 14th, 2017. Twenty Middle School students will be participating in the academy. Furthermore, the Lacey Township Police Department is presently coordinating National Night Out for Lacey Township at Gille Park on Tuesday Evening, August 1, 2017.

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