Philadelphia police holding community events, new youth program

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Philadelphia police are kicking off a number of community initiatives, including a new youth program that's starting alongside national efforts to enhance community engagement.

National Night Out is happening across the country on Tuesday, August 5, to encourage interaction between the community and officers who work within their neighborhoods.

Gorgas Park, in Roxborough, is among more than two dozen locations that'll have different activities on Tuesday.

That location will feature food trucks, K9s, SWAT and police on horseback.

It is part of different community efforts the police department is working on.

Monday, the police department and city officials held a kickoff event at the Winchester Rec Center in North Philadelphia.

That location, along with the Penrose Rec Center, will be home to a new program called Summer Night Lights.

It'll be five weeks long --now through September 5 --and will be Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

One goal is to help keep kids off the streets while interacting in a positive way with local officers who will be providing sporting activities and mentoring.

"That's how you build community and when people feel a sense of community it's a lot safer," said Sen. Sharif Street.

We're told the hope is to expand it from more than just a pilot program at two rec centers into something city-wide.

"This is what we aim to do, to have this lapse in crime to continue," said 22nd police district Commanding Officer Michael Goodson. "I said before that the police commissioner is not interested in one-offs. We're looking for sustainable projects and we really believe that this can be a sustainable project for success in our city."

City leaders said even with a steep decline in violent crime, they're continuing to focus on parts of North Philadelphia, where a high percentage of crime continues to happen.

"It's a lot of violence that's going on in the world, so hopefully they can assist to stop something," said resident Tracey Chappelle.

Resident Cheryl Taylor said, "I don't know what I would do if I was a kid in this day and age. Some of the things they have to deal with just with being out playing and having a good time with their friends they shouldn't have to deal with things like that. So anything we can do to get a safe haven that's such a very positive thing."

Police said they're partnering with Temple University to study long-term impacts of community programs and the reduction of violent crimes.