Title
Child and Youth Programs Crime Prevention (B)
This item requests that City staff research funding sources to continue and enhance crime prevention programs for children and youth.
Explanation
During an update of Strategic Initiative 3.3, "Analyze The Availability And Accessibility Of Child And Youth Programs And Identify A Role For City Government", at the 11/7/13 City Commission meeting, staff was requested to research avenues to fundraise to support the continuation of the Summer Heatwave Basketball Program and other youth programs.
As a result, the City of Gainesville launched it's first-ever crowdfunding campaign in March to raise $20,720, which will expand the popular Summer Heatwave program. Summer Heatwave provides a place for Gainesville youth to go during evening summer hours with activities ranging from basketball, a life skills class and open lounges to socialize and play games. Skills taught in Summer Heatwave set up players for potential college success.
For the past four years, during the times that the Heatwave basketball program operated, the occurrence of juvenile crimes was lower than other times throughout the year. GPD feels Heatwave was responsible for at least some of the drop/decrease in juvenile offenses during the hours of 6 and 10 p.m., late June through late August each summer.
Community residents can make a tax-deductible donation to the project online at <http://www.citizinvestor.com/project/summer-heatwave> (credit cards will not be charged unless the project reaches 100 percent of its funding goal before the deadline). The project has already raised $13,580 with 53 donors, with 34 days to go, as of April 28, 2014.
Fiscal Note
None at this time.
Recommendation
The Public Safety Committee hear an update from GPD and Parks and Recreation and Cultural Affairs staff on the continuing efforts to expand youth crime prevention programs.