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Money sought for police sports work with at-risk youths

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — An Omaha councilman wants the city to commit taxpayer dollars to a sports organization in which police officers work with at-risk youths.

The Omaha World-Herald reports that Councilman Pete Festersen will propose amending the city's 2017 budget to give $20,000 to Police Athletics for Community Engagement. The council will vote Aug. 23 on the proposed $917 million budget, along with any amendments.

The city indirectly supports the organization through the officers' volunteer work and the organization's use of city parks. But Festersen said this would be the first time the city contributed money directly.

He says that, given recent protest nationwide about police shootings, he thinks it's important for cities to focus on prevention and police-community relations.

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