Local youth and officers bonded during a six-week summer camp.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HANGIN’ WITH 5-0

Staff Report

MIRAMAR, Fla. – More than 80 youth in Miramar spent six weeks of their summer going to the movies, taking trips to the beach, touring the Everglades and more with local police officers during “Hangin’ with 5-0,” a summer camp sponsored by Sunbeam Properties & Development and the Miramar Park of Commerce, the largest locally owned and managed business park in South Florida.

A joint community initiative between the Miramar Police Athletic League and the City of Miramar, “Hangin’ with 5-0” is celebrating 15 years of serving students. The program was almost eliminated by budget cuts in 2008, but was kept alive thanks to funding from Sunbeam Properties.

“Hangin’ with 5-0’ is completely free for the kids, who are selected to participate by their school’s resource officer and guidance counselors,” said City of Miramar Police Officer and Miramar Police Athletic League Executive Director Scott Hadley. “What they take away from this program is invaluable, and we can’t thank Sunbeam enough for their ongoing support.”

The nine to 14 year-olds who participate in “Hangin’ with 5-0” enjoy a variety of activities and field trips with Miramar Police Department officers, who serve as event organizers, chaperones and mentors. Each day, breakfast and lunch are served and the program concludes with a pizza party.

“We are excited to be supporting ‘Hangin’ with 5-0’ for our ninth consecutive year,” said Maridee Bell, vice president of Sunbeam Properties, developer of the Miramar Park of Commerce. “Giving back to our community has always been a priority for Sunbeam and ‘Hangin’ with 5-0’ is instrumental for bridging the gap between officers and local youth.”

In addition to “Hangin’ with 5-0,” Sunbeam Properties & Development supports the City of Miramar through other non-profit organizations, having donated resources for the Ansin Sports Complex and the Ansin Family Gallery in the Miramar Cultural Center.

The Miramar Park of Commerce has also been the site for supply drives for America’s Moms for Soldiers, a toy drive for Miramar children in need, and a food drive for the United Way of Broward County.