At the time, Del needed to organize an event because he was looking for a certification from the New Jersey Regional Police Institute.
The game was such a rousing success that Del, one of the township's DARE officers, decided to turn the fundraiser into an annual event.
Last Tuesday night at the high school gymnasium, the North Bergen police faced off against the TIPS All-Stars, a game that became highly competitive, but was all fun nonetheless.
The $700 raised by the game will go to help the DARE program's fifth grade students attend sporting events, like Nets and Seton Hall basketball games at the Continental Airlines Arena.
The Police Department ended up winning the game, 69-66, with the boys' basketball coach, Kevin Bianco, sinking two free throws in the closing seconds.
Turning against them But how could Bianco actually play against his own players, like students Ralph Fernandez and Kenny DeDios, guys who brought the coach the school's first HCIAA championship in 29 years?
Most of the girls' basketball team also participated, players like All-State center Lauren Jimenez and standout guard Cassandra Chenet.
One of the best storylines of the game was that Police Chief William Galvin actually played in the game.
"I haven't played in the game in years, but decided to give it a try this year," Galvin said. "I usually just stand off on the side."
Lo and behold, the chief scored the first points of the game when he was fouled and went to the line. He made one of two, then quickly made his exit to a more comfortable setting.
"It was a lot of fun," Galvin said. "It was terrific to get out there."
Captains Robert Farley and Gary Richmond also put on the blue uniform and made appearances on the floor, as did about 15 other police officers.
"We had about 20 or police officers play in the game," Del said. "They were able to give up their free time to participate. It was a fun night."
North Bergen Mayor Nicholas Sacco was on hand to do the ceremonial opening tipoff. Commissioner Theresa Ferraro, who is in charge of public safety, also attended.
"We tried to get the Commissioner to play," Del said. "But she turned me down. She did put on a team T-shirt though."
The TIPS program, under the guidance of coordinator Ralph Marino and John Belluardo, the chairman of the North Bergen Against Drugs and Alcohol Alliance, was started 10 years ago in an effort to keep teens off the street and give them a positive influence in utilizing the gyms in the schools.
"We open up the gym two nights a week, from 7 p.m. to midnight, to give the kids a chance to stay off the streets and participate in activities like basketball," said Belluardo, who also serves as the attendance officer at the high school, as well as the head soccer coach. "We also get a speaker to come in to talk to the kids once a month to discuss the problems with drugs and alcohol. It's sort of a prevention and intervention program. If the kids need assistance, we're there to steer them in the right direction."
Belluardo said that the TIPS program has been successful.
"It's been very positive," Belluardo said. "The kids have a place to go and get together."
The game also leads to a better relationship between the youngsters and the police department. Del has been assigned to the DARE program, along with officer Joe Sitty, so a lot of the younger kids are very familiar with Del.
"I have fun with the kids in the classroom," Del said. "Most of the kids I teach were at the game. We now know a lot of the kids on a first-name basis and they know us. They're more comfortable with us. They're able to deal with us as people. The kids show up to see us play so they can make fun of me. Some of them had signs made. It was really cool the way the kids showed their support."
"It was a very productive evening," Belluardo said. "We have the kids playing in the game against the police. We have the younger kids in the stands, cheering everyone on."
After the game, the students and police had a post-game get-together, complete with hot dogs and iced tea, in the cafeteria.
Del is hopeful to hold a similar charity event in the spring, like a softball game. The police held a touch football tournament last December to raise money for the Rebeka Verea Foundation and its effort to stop teen drinking and driving.
"We want to be able to get out there and mix it up a little," Del said. "We just want to help."
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