PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police officers in North Philadelphia are helping curb violence among teens through a long-beloved sport in the city: Boxing.
Guns Down, Gloves Up is not only giving 40 young people the fundamentals of boxing, but is instilling a greater sense of safety and empowerment.
"I got jumped once," said Aaron Stevens. Jr., a junior at Lankenau High School.
"I'm trying to defend myself more, so I just got into this and it got me in shape. It got my hands quicker. Now I'm confident that if I get stepped onto in the streets, I can defend myself."
Capt. Nahid Akil, of the 22nd Police District, began the program, which meets twice every week at Epiphany Baptist Church on West Diamond Street.
Akil believes their mission is more than just teaching kids to fight.
"What I've learned being around boxing -- it just doesn't teach you how to use your hands. You see the discipline with the kids, with how they react to the coaches, the respect level," Akil said.
"It also teaches you ... to walk away from a situation. You have to pivot and move when it comes to boxing. You have to pivot and move to walk away from a circumstance."
Stevens believes his boxing training is also helping him prepare for his future.
"After high school, I want to be a firefighter. This is getting me in shape for that," said Stevens.
The program has also helped Philadelphia police officers build a better relationship with community members, according to Akil.
"2020 was a rough year -- with George Floyd, and we had Walter Wallace in West Philly. It was some issues and there was a disconnect. It can chip away at your morale if you question 'Why am I doing this? There's no gratitude. I'm doing what I can, running through alleys. I'm doing this, doing that. They hate us,'" Akil said. "But when you see the smiles and the looks on this kids' faces ..., it helps boost your morale. Yes, I do have a purpose here."
Akil says anybody who is interested in helping out their program should reach out to the 22nd District.