Running a late-night basketball league for youths in a gang-troubled area of Salt Lake City is an innovative idea that deserves a thorough trial before residents near the game site get too vocal in their criticism.
Mayor DeeDee Corradini is the moving force behind setting up the league on Friday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. - typically a high-crime period. The plan eventually calls for some 80 youths over age 16 to participate under some interesting supervision.Some residents near the Glendale Youth Recreation Center at 855 W. California Ave., where the games will be played, have complained that the games might concentrate violent gang activity in their neighborhood. There's no evidence that will happen. The complaints are based more on fear than fact.
The mayor has apologized for failing to touch base adequately with residents in the neighborhood through the West Salt Lake Community Council. Fortunately, a subsequent meeting with council members and residents showed broad support for the late-night games. As one person put it, "The gangs are already in our community. We need to get them involved in constructive activities."
The May through October basketball league will have strict rules, will distribute gang members among different teams to avoid gang-related confrontations, will not allow loitering in the parking lot after games, and will offer a variety of teaching opportunities that go far beyond mere basketball.
For example, veteran social workers, police and neighborhood volunteers will help supervise and control crowds. In addition, players will receive lectures on citizenship, job training, sportsmanship and proper conduct from local athletes, including members of the Utah Jazz. Players could be kicked out for missing games and practices, fighting or getting too many technical fouls.
The rules and supervision could discourage hard-core gang members from taking part, but the city hopes to attract youngsters on the periphery of gang involvement, giving them an alternative to getting in trouble. If it does that, it will be worth the investment.
Salt Lake City clearly has limited resources, but volunteers and private businesses are helping with gym shoes, towels, basketballs and other equipment. However, still more help is needed.
Playing ball after 1 a.m. might seem strange to many people, but it has been tried in some other cities with considerable success. If it succeeds, the youngsters will not only be kept busy with sports activities instead of getting into trouble, but they also would be learning valuable lessons about hard work, self-control and keeping rules.
Area residents should give the league a chance before throwing up obstacles. Gang problems are difficult enough to solve as it is - without community complaints and rejection before the first league game is played. Cooperation and support can easily mean the difference between success and failure in the lives of already at-risk youngsters.