For our last story my partner and I visited a Police Athletic League center at a Kensington elementary school. There we met Officer Maurice Scott. When we told Scott that we wanted to interview him he was more than happy to, and provided us with everything we needed. I personally thought he was just a nice man, but when he offered us a ride all the way back to Temple University I knew he was a special person.
After we finished our story, Scott and I had a few more conversations. He explained to me why he cared so much for the kids he was looking after. For him it was more of a passion than a job, which is pretty obvious since PAL officers get paid less than street cops. He even talked about why each individual child was special.
"Some people may say, ok well you can save her but not him, he's a trouble maker," said Scott. I would tell them, well let me try, you had your chance, let me see if I can do something with him."
Scott even invited me to travel with him and some of his kids to go see 'More Than a Game' the Lebron James documentary. Unfortunately I couldn't make it to the screening, but I was able to visit Scott at the PAL center again a week after our story was over. It is interesting the way a story can open your eyes to so many different aspects of life, and I am thankful that I was able to make a connection with Scott. In the little time that I've known him, I've learned that it only takes one person to make a difference.
Herry Pierre-Louis and LaToya Allen, Group 1, Kensington
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