WASD. X. Circle. Square. - Gaming as Community Outreach

If one bases their opinions on only the latest eye-catching news stories, the most clickable headlines, and whatever your favorite social media platform “decides” to serve to you, our country—from sea to shining sea—is in a state of complete chaos. While some areas are trying to handle some tough situations, there are positive stories out there. 

To mind, the Jersey City Police Department partnered with a major fashion brand to donate thousands of meals to local families. In an Aug. 20 news report on kxnet.com, Watford City (N.D.) Police Department Chief of Police Shawn Doble “says it’s the little things that go a long way such as keeping up with events, being a listening ear when needed, and taking the time to play and interact with kids while on duty.” According to their Facebook, the PD is currently planning on participating in the National Night Out on October 6. Likewise, I’m sure many other agencies across the country are working on community outreach. Will each event make the news? No, but that’s not the point. Will it matter? Yes.

The idea of community outreach and Doble’s comment on interacting with kids got me thinking. In this time of limited physical connection, is there a creative way to accomplish this? In this modern age of digital everything, screen-swiping, and button-pressing, is there a way to utilize already available platforms that law enforcement agencies might be able to use to connect with the community?

I pose to you a question: could the gaming world provide an option? According to a Spotlight on leb.fbi.gov, one police department in Massachusetts clicked “ready” for an event in a local gaming center. As described in the briefing, just over two dozen youths aged from young to teen played video games with officers from the Taunton (Mass.) Police Department. The games they played weren’t named but it doesn’t have to be limited to a meet-up in an arcade as they did. Many platforms allow connection via online and some esports communities provide organizations to control who can participate. For example, smash.gg is a free platform that allows an organizer to create an event, set up invitations, and interact online without opening the event to the entire world.

I grew up with video games. I used them to find friendships—we even had to sit on the same couch. I watched the internet become commonplace in our culture. But today’s youth don’t know a world that connecting online wasn’t an option. Could this be a new way for law enforcement to reach youth on their level? The games don’t have to be noisy and violent-packed as today’s gaming library is diverse. Even digital versions of board games are available. Imagine groups of officers and kids talking together while easily playing Clue online for bragging rights. Imagine raising money for charity in a Mario Kart tournament. Imagine working with teens to boldly-go throughout space in an online sci-fi multiplayer. What creative ways has your agency done recently to connect with the community?

Stay safe out there and thank you.