When you’re young and restless and it’s hot outside you can get into trouble. At least that’s how the thinking goes in Los Angeles, where Marketplace reports that even amidst a budget crisis that has forced California to cut many public programs, parks are staying open later this summer in an effort to keep teens off the streets.
As part of the “Summer Night Lights” program, the city, in partnership with private organizations, is spending $175,000 on each of 16 parks. And this isn’t just about keeping kids occupied and out of gangs, the project is even employing some older teens, who are given both job training and advice on how to save the $3,500 they will earn over these months.
It also turns out that investing in these parks saves big bucks for the city — and the lives of its citizens. The murder rate in surrounding neighborhoods dropped by 86 percent when the program ran last year. And that saves the city the million dollars it costs to run a homicide investigation.
While programs that ply teens with lists of “don’ts” have come and gone — the value of a rare D.A.R.E. T-shirt find at the vintage store is testament to that — finally a program that gives kids something to do. And gets results, too.
Photo courtesy of Bjorn512, via Flickr