Free skating on the riverfront, open pools and weekly late night recreation center events are all happening for Cincinnati teens this summer.
Cincinnati officials announced during a May 14 press conference that events and services would be expanded for youth this summer in an effort to curb crime and violence.
Shootings and youth crime are down
Police Chief Teresa Theetge said youth crime is down this year in part due to ongoing efforts of police, the Cincinnati Recreation Commission and other departments that engage with teens. Mayor Aftab Pureval said this summer, efforts are a continuation of that success.
From Jan. 1 to May 14, shootings were down over 30% compared to the same period last year. Theetge said the city has seen fewer shooting so far this year than any year dating back to at least 2010.
She said the number of car thefts and thefts from cars involving juveniles is also down.
Rec @ Nite expansion
The popular Rec @ Nite program last summer kept two recreation centers in Avondale and West End open late on Saturday nights with extra events like club nights and parties.
The center also hosted barbers, video game stations, food trucks and other activities.
Last summer, the bigger events rotated between the two centers each week. But this year, both the Lincoln and Hirsch recreation centers will have large events every Saturday for 10 weeks.
After Rec @ Nite served 3,000 kids last year, it received the Ohio Parks and Recreation Governor’s Award. While the city is still measuring the programs influence on youth violence, ancedotally, police have said the events did have a significant impact.
Free skating every weekend
The Cincinnati Parks Department’s Sawyer Point Riverfront skating rink has hosted events periodically, but this summer, there will be free skating every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
The Cincinnati Parks Foundation is even providing free skates.
Skate Downtown Cincy is among the community groups helping drive this effort.
All the city pools will be open
Cincinnati Recreation Commission Director Daniel Betts said that city’s 23 pools and nine spraygrounds will all be open this summer.
Camp CRC has also expanded to 19 different sites offering youth programming geared at STEM, STEAM and other activities.
‘Our children deserve it’
Iris Roley, a longtime activist who is now the city’s Collaborative Agreement sustainability coordinator, said now more than ever, city leaders are using good problem-solving skills to improve the lives of Cincinnatians.
However, she leveled a challenge to all the city’s community organizations – from churches and fraternities to coaches and community councils – to help with these efforts.
“Our children deserve it,” Roley said. “Let’s assist.”
All of the city’s Summer in Cincy programs can be found at online at www.cincinnati-oh.gov/summerincincy/.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati expands youth events in effort to engage teens and reduce violence
Reporting by Cameron Knight, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
