The Community Services Section held its annual Junior Athletic Games (JAG) in April of 2011 at the Leesburg High School football field. This unique program gives the area’s elementary school students a chance to compete in seven different events. The students participated in the following events: football throw, soccer ball kick, 50 yard dash, 400 yard relay, softball throw, long jump, 100 yard dash, and the award ceremony.

The students were taught principles of good sportsmanship and given the opportunity to apply them in friendly competition. Students placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd received medals for their accomplishments with the remaining receiving a letter of participation in recognition of their effort. The department also gave each competitor a t-shirt to commemorate their involvement in the event, which many have come to view as instrumental to helping mold strong bodies, minds, and build esteem, while exemplifying good sportsmanship. This year’s event also included a traveling trophy for the overall school winner. Fruitland Park Elementary was this year’s first place winner

Thanks to the generosity of donors, the department was able to continue the Christmas Bicycle Give-away program in 2011. Charitable giving enabled the department to purchase and give away 71 new bicycles to some of the area‘s most needy children and families. The 20 year old program has provided hundreds of bicycles to the underprivileged. It has grown from when police officers repaired and gave away abandoned and unclaimed bicycles to its current state of purchasing new ones. The hard work and charity of countless officers and citizens is what makes the program work, all done without taxpayer money. We recognize the role of law enforcement exceeds its traditional boundaries of protecting public safety; it also carries the responsibility and duty of being a good neighbor!