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Gang Crime Reduction Program, Summer Night Lights, Expands to 24 Parks
Summer Night Lights logo '09 (Photo by Office of Mayor)
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Summer Night Lights logo '09 (Photo by Office of Mayor)
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa announced Tuesday that his office will expand their annual Summer Night Lights program, which aims to reduce Summertime gang violence.Eight more parks are being added to the master plan for this Summer totaling at 24 locations to host after-school activities, athletic leagues, arts initiatives and family programs in high crime rate areas.
The program is designed to target at risk youth and families by providing job opportunities, keeping parks open after dark, and offering a safe place away from the streets. Last year the program served more than 250,000 meals and over 270,000 families participated in the events at some point.
The Mayor’s office also reported having a 17 percent drop in gang-related crime in 2009. But LA Weekly, for example, is cautious to fully believe such numbers and is even skeptical in claiming the Mayor’s program is as successful as he says it is.
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Nonetheless the Mayor is eager to expand Summer Night Lights as it heads into its third year. It will run between July 7th and September 24th, Wednesday through Saturdays. Park hours will be extended until midnight.
Parks
1. Cypress Park
2. Glassell Park
3. Hubert Humphrey
4. Imperial Courts
5. Jackie Tatum Harvard Park
6. Jim Gilliam
7. Jordan Downs
8. Lemon Grove
9. Mt. Carmel
10. Nickerson Gardens
11. Ramon Garcia
12. Ramona Gardens
13. Ross Snyder
14. Sepulveda
15. Costello
16. Delano
17. Highland Park
18. Lake Street
19. Normandale
20. Van Ness
21. Martin Luther King- MLK
22. Slauson
23. South Park
24. Valley Plaza
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