Grapevine police strengthen community ties through video game competition
.jpg "Officers with the Grapevine Police department and students at the first Operation Game Time.")
Grapevine police officers and local students will face off at the second-annual Operation Game Time, a video game competition on March 20.
The events include a playoff tournament between students and officers, as well as an open play station from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 121 Community Church, 2701 Ira E. Woods Ave. Registration is required.
It all began with one lieutenant on the patrol unit who wanted to get to know fellow officers better and found out that some of them were interested in video gaming. With the help of the department’s community outreach division, Operation Game Time was born.
A spokesperson for the police department told the Star-Telegram the tournament is making an impact.
“Last year, we had a teacher and some of her students come out and support their SRO who was in the competition,” the spokesperson said. “This gives the students that are participating as well as those observing to see the officers in a different light. This is huge when working in the community, for kids and adults, to see how much the officers care and want the best — not just for the kids but for the entire community.”
Students will be paired with officers to battle against other teams. Last year, 12 students attended the event and four took part in the competition.