Sacramento Youth Outreach Program Slashes Crime In Tough Neighborhood

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — An outreach program is getting credit for 14 weeks without a single murder in one of Sacramento's toughest neighborhoods.

Organizers say Summer Night Lights keeps kids busy with positive activities like basketball during the summer, so they're not out committing crimes instead.

Off of Mack Road, a basketball court and park wasn't around last year at this time. It all came together after the community saw hope in its youth.

"Taught me to be me, and don't worry about anyone else," Lavar Nelson said. "I started focusing on me and doing what I need to do."

He's one of thousands who participated in the program last year. The 14-week outreach program is put on by the Mack Road Partnership and the Sacramento Police Department. It aims to reduce crime during the summer in an area hit hard by violence.

"The crime indicated this was the hub, this is where it was all at," said Sacramento Police Lt. Roman Murrietta.

According to Sacramento Police, there were 34 homicides in South Sacramento, but through sports, peer-to-peer mentoring, parenting classes and much more, the community worked at building a relationship with its youth. Homicides dropped to 29 in 2014.

"The officers weren't here in an enforcement role, they were here building relationships," he said.

He also says there wasn't a single homicide in the area during the 14 weeks of the program. The area also saw a 50 percent reduction in business robberies, and nearly the same drop in residential burglaries.

The program doesn't span the year, because there's not funding for it. It all comes together through donations and people volunteer their time. But that doesn't mean program advocates aren't pushing for more.

This year, it will expand to Oak Park. Organizers hope to have everything in place in a couple of months.