LAPD Announce 2011 Summer Night Lights Kickoff in Rampart Division

What:
Presentation and Kick Off

When:
Friday, June 24, 2011
9:00 a.m.

Where:
Lafayette Park Recreation Center
625 Lafayette Park Place
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Who:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
LAPD Chief Charlie Beck
Council President Eric Garcetti
Kim Sentovich, Walmart Senior Vice President, Pacific Division
Sara Montrose, Weingart Foundation Program Officer
Guillermo Cespedes, Deputy Mayor for Gang Reduction and Youth Development
Alicia Avalos, Director of Summer Night Lights Program
300 members of the SNL Youth Squad

Why:
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, Council President Eric Garcetti, SNL donors and community leaders will announce the expansion of the summer violence reduction program, Summer Night Lights (SNL).

Taking action to combat gang violence during the summer months, traditionally the most violent time of the year, Summer Night Lights keeps City parks and recreation centers open after dark with organized activities for at-risk youth, offers job opportunities, and a safe place to spend the summer evenings.

This summer, SNL will expand to add 8 sites, for a total of 32 locations throughout the City in communities most afflicted by gang violence.  Last summer, neighborhoods in areas surrounding Summer Night Lights locations experienced a 40% reduction in gang related part 1 crimes and a 57% reduction in gang related homicides.

SNL is made possible by a combination of public and private funds.

CONTACT:
For additional information contact Sarah Hamilton 213-978-0741.