• By Matt Sheley | Staff writer Jul 24, 2016

MIDDLETOWN — Randy Butler graduated from Rogers High School in Newport in 1993 after scoring more than 1,000 points for the Vikings’ basketball team. Back then it seemed like there were hoops tournaments every weekend on Aquidneck Island, he said recently.

In an effort to form positive relationships between area police officers and kids growing up in Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth, Butler and his nonprofit Butler Basketball Club are holding a “One Island, One Community” basketball tournament at Gaudet Middle School on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Police officers from the three departments will team with 100 youngsters from between the ages of 6 and 18 to play in the free tournament.

Besides basketball, there will be games, food, guest speakers, dancing, music and other fun, organizers said.

“Before, everyone used to play (basketball) together, and I think it helped bring people even closer together,” said Butler, a Middletown resident and the club’s president. “With everything going on now, the time seemed right to try to bring that back because I know this area has given me a lot, all of us a lot.”

Deadly confrontations between police officers and young black men have ripped some American communities apart, but Aquidneck Island has been free of such incidents. Some say it’s because there’s a willingness locally to address conflicts in a progressive manner, noting “A Peaceful Assembly for Awareness and Change” that was held earlier this month in Washington Square in Newport as an example.

Seneca Pender of Middletown, one of the organizers of that event, serves on the Butler Basketball Club board.

The seeds for the upcoming basketball tournament took root and began to grow during his discussions with members of the Middletown, Newport and Portsmouth police departments, Butler said. Each department will be represented and vying for top team honors, he said.

“The outpouring of support from everybody ... police, the kids, the community ... it’s been better than we could have ever imagined,” said Janetta Donovan of Middletown, the club’s secretary. “We’ve had people we don’t even know looking to get involved and lend a hand wherever possible. It’s been a tremendous feeling.”

“Sports, basketball, are a great way to unite people together,” Pender said. “When you’re out there playing, people don’t care what you look like, what kind of shoes you’re wearing, things like that. All they care about is the game. There a lot of good lessons out there we can take with us.”

Law enforcement officers who’ve committed to participate said it is hard not to feel the impact of the national tragedies. Every time they walk into their police stations they see the flags at half staff. A mobile signboard has been posted in front of the local police station on Valley Road asking people to remember the murders of police officers in Baton Rouge, La.

Newport Community Policing Officer Robert Spellman said a family recently brought baked goods and card saying “Thanks!” to the Newport police station on Broadway to show support and appreciation for the men and women who serve on the city’s police force.

“I’ve been with Newport police for 16 years, and that type of thing, especially when it’s totally unexpected ... means a lot,” said Spellman, who was accompanied by fellow Newport Community Policing Officer Joshua Wildes.

Others supporting the “One Island, One Community” basketball tournament shared similar stories.

“I think what we’re all hearing has been amazing,” Middletown Police Lt. Michael Faria said. “I think a lot of that has to do with the island, where everyone knows each other. That’s part of what makes it a special place.”

“This tournament is a good opportunity for people to come together and have a fun time,” Portsmouth Police Lt. A.J. Bucci said. “Hopefully, it helps grow the positive relationships we already have.”

Butler and his team said they hope the tournament serves as a springboard to more and bigger events in the future. Besides promoting basketball locally, Butler’s group aims to keep kids focused and busy with productive activities, he said.

“You hear it constantly, that there’s nothing for kids to do, and in many ways it’s true,” said Kevin Hagan, a local defense attorney and the club’s vice president. “This is the first event for the organization, but I know we’d all like to help keep kids out of trouble, to give them somewhere to go and have somewhere constructive to go.”

The organization has held several smaller events, Butler said, including trips to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a Connecticut Sun basketball game, where youngsters got to meet the players.

Club treasurer and promotions director Alison Costa of Newport said the group is working on getting its official 501(c)(3) status and building a foundation for the future. The group is lining up motivational speakers and looking into creating an internship program as well as camps and other events centered around basketball and making a positive difference, she said.

“A lot of effort has already gone into this tournament and making sure it’s what people should expect,” Costa said. “We’ve all been so busy lining things up and working to grow the organization. Who knows where it could lead?”