North Philadelphia ‘Summer Night Lights’ Program Offers Safe Spaces for Kids
A new pilot program aimed at reducing violence in North Philadelphia neighborhoods launched on Monday, Aug. 4. The initiative called “Summer Night Lights” unites police, city agencies, community leaders, and…
Small nursery school children with teacher sitting on floor having lesson. Young woman teach preschool kids in classroom sitting on floor together
Getty Royalty FreeA new pilot program aimed at reducing violence in North Philadelphia neighborhoods launched on Monday, Aug. 4.
The initiative called "Summer Night Lights" unites police, city agencies, community leaders, and others to establish safe spaces for youth at the Winchester and Penrose recreation centers. The project has been funded in part by a $130,000 gift of support from the Neubauer Family Foundation and the Stoneleigh Foundation.
"Summer Night Lights" is open to children 17 and younger, running during the weekdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. beginning Monday, Aug. 4, through Friday, Sept. 5. Temple University will host a basketball clinic in support of the program. Health and mental wellness services, free food, and more will be offered nightly.
According to police officials, Winchester and Penrose were chosen to participate in the program because of their presence in the 22nd police district. This area has some of the highest levels of violent crime in the city.
"Historically, this grid, 221A, has led the nation in violence. And we looked at 2024, it still fell within our top 10," said David Irizarry, a Senior Stoneleigh Fellow who worked on the project with the Philadelphia Police Department, in an interview with CBS News Philadelphia.
Officials said that despite a decrease in violent crime citywide — down 14.6% from this time compared to 2024 — and reductions in violent crime in the 22nd district, the area itself remains a priority for safety prevention efforts.
Officers who regularly patrol the neighborhoods will take part in the "Summer Night Lights" program.
"I want those cops out there to get to know these kids. You're not going to get that running in a 4,000-pound car going up and down the streets. You got to get in there and see their world," said Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. "We have to build that trust. We have to get engaged. But they have to see something. You can talk all day, but they got to see it. And if they see it, they'll buy into it."
