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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIII. E. PARKS AFTER DARK ASSESSMENT•Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights •6 p.m. to 11p.m. June to August •Live music, food, outdoor movies,lawn games, arts and crafts, etc. •Access to City and community resources and services •Time spent in a family-friendly atmosphere with VBPD officers Program Overview Program Goals and Community Needs •Create safe community spaces after dark with organized activities for youth and families •Serve as a diversion from criminal activities •Provide recreation and social programs, and access to employment opportunities •Strengthen community ties •Foster positive community - police relations •VB Parks & Recreation researched programs with long-term success in reducing crime and violence in communities. •Summer Night Lights (SNL), Los Angeles, CA, began with 8 parks in 2008; 44 sites in 2023 •VB Parks and Recreation & VB Police visited several SNL sites in summer 2022. •A plan for VB was drafted and put forth for council consideration February 7, 2023. •Parks After Dark began at Williams Farm Park on June 8, 2023. LA R lt Parks After Dark: The Origin •Virginia Beach Police Department •VB DHS Prevention Unit •Virginia Beach Public Library •Virginia Beach City Public Schools. •Bank-on Hampton Roads •VA Department of Health •Sentara •Kempsville Behavioral Health •Virginia Wesleyan University •Western Bayside Community United •Lake Edward Civic League Partnership and Collaboration Parks After Dark brought together a wide range of community groups and resources for attendees. An important component of the program was to hire youth workers through the VB Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) who live in the target community. •This empowered youth workers through employment and financial literacy training. •Gave youth a productive role in building their own neighborhood •Allowed youth to be role models and demonstrate positive leadership to peers SYEP youth workers served as internal event staff that oversaw the entire program. Their responsibilities included set up and break down, registration, serving food, monitoring activity safety, creating and running arts and crafts, and planning and implementing sports and recreational activities for all ages. Program Staffing: SYEP 7 Robust Marketing PAD was promoted through •Community groups •Schools •Local media •Social media and weekly emails •Print media •“It was great seeing the community come together every weekend over the summer. Residents of all ages attended the event and participated in the various activities offered. It was also nice watching the police officers having fun and playing games with the kids.” Lt. Kevin Lokey, MPA - Youth Services Unit •“It was a total hit on the Thursdays (that I worked). Many of the children would come up to me just to say hi!! . . . While I worked there, there were no incidents that required me to wear my police hat!! Interacting with the kids and families was very enjoyable to me also.” MPO Pete Mantoni - 2nd Police Precinct Impact on Community Safety 3rd Precinct Incidents Citywide Incidents During Parks After Dark Hours During Parks After Dark Hours 2021*2022*2023*Change from Previous Year 2021*2022*2023*Change from Previous Year Aggravated Assault 6 2 2 0%11 9 10 11% All Other, Larceny 30 34 48 41%96 119 142 19% Larceny from Motor Vehicle 12 12 8 -33%39 40 27 -33% Motor Vehicle Theft 8 5 2 -60%20 19 7 -63% Rape 1 0 0 0%3 1 1 0% Residential Burglary 0 1 5 400%1 4 6 50% Robbery 3 5 0 -100%5 8 1 -87% Weapon Law Violations 17 18 19 5%51 60 65 8% *Data only represents CFS during June-August, Thursday-Friday, 6pm-11pm *Data only represents incidents that fall into the types listed above, not all total incidents that occurred in 3rd Precinct •“I would like for this event to be annual. We love it so far. The food has been good,the kids are very happy to play free, and we feel safe. I am proud to be a part of this community. “ •“Loving the community events. I love that the police officers have been so involved with the youth!!” “This was a great event. I truly enjoyed it. The staff was kind and the activities were well planned. We enjoyed the variety of food trucks. Having community partners and service providers was a great addition”. Citizen Feedback To continue supporting positive youth and family outcomes, Parks and Recreation promotes a network of programs, services, and community- based partnerships in the Western Bayside community. Questions?