DETROIT – With just weeks left in the school year, Detroit leaders say they’re moving quickly to keep “downtime” from turning into danger, including violence, as more young people spend time outside.
Mayor Mary Sheffield, Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison, youth mentors, neighborhood leaders, and business owners on Tuesday (May 12) announced the city’s summertime safety strategy, called “Occupy the Summer.”
Organizers say the initiative was built with input from teens gathered during school visits and community listening sessions.
“We know that as the temperatures rise, our children, our seniors, our community, everyone is waiting to come outside,” Bettison said. But, he added, “We see year after year, gun violence and violence in general start to rise.”
City leaders say the plan is also a response to recent incidents involving teens downtown and is aimed at helping keep young people, especially teenagers, safe and engaged.
“Let’s own our Summer! This Summer Detroit!” Sheffield said at the event launching the initiative.
A major part of Occupy the Summer includes extended hours at Detroit recreation centers.
“We will have nine of our rec centers open until 11 p.m.,” Sheffield said.
The expanded hours will give youth greater access to activities such as basketball, fitness centers, swimming pools, e-sports, and other games.
The city is also bringing back midnight basketball, a program that was popular in prior years.
Dr. Teferi Brent, with Detroit’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety, emphasized the broader goal.
“Occupy the Summer is more than just a program. It is a movement to reclaim our neighborhoods with positivity,” Brent said.
Organizers say the programs are designed to be safe spaces where young people can connect with mentors.
Coach Duane Daniels, with Detroit City FC, said having positive role models made a life-changing difference for him.
“Growing up on the east side of Detroit in 48205, the reason I’m alive right now, if I’m honest with you, is because I found myself. I had great role models,” Daniels said.
The city also plans special activations in public spaces each Friday starting in June, featuring activities and entertainment, including performances by local and nationally recognized artists.
Detroit rapper Icewear Vezzo, a father, said attention and guidance can go a long way.
“The main thing the youth need is just attention,” Vezzo said. “That’s it. They just want some attention and a little bit of guidance.”
Vezzo added that the initiative is also an opportunity for parents to stay involved.
“Most of it starts at home,” Vezzo said, acknowledging that families are often juggling a lot, and that programs like these can help parents stay connected to what their kids are doing.
Occupy the Summer events officially kick off on June 12.
Organizers say registration is already open online, including sign-ups for programs like midnight basketball: www.OccupyTheSummer.com.