Summer Night Lights will keep parks open at night and programs operating late at 32 locations across Los Angeles.

“Expanding Summer Night Lights into more neighborhoods in Los Angeles widens the program’s reach to keep even more at-risk youth busy during the long, restless summer nights when the cycle of violence traditionally escalates,” said Mayor Villaraigosa in a press release. “We are all excited to experience another successful summer and are thrilled that more communities will reap the benefits of this truly inspirational and effective program.”

City parks will stay open after dark with athletic leagues, art classes and family programs, while also providing youth with job opportunities.

Giving kids something to do during summer break is even more important when there's no summer school in the LAUSD district.

“Summer is our busiest time of the year--children are out of school on summer break, often with nothing to keep them occupied,” said Los Angeles Police Chief Charlie Beck in a press release. “Giving children a safe haven is crucial during the time of year when they are most vulnerable to negative influences. This is why Summer Night Lights has become such an important part of keeping the City safe.”

The program has three major components:

• Extended Hours & Programming between July and September, extending hours until midnight.
• Youth Squad: 10 community youth are hired to create and staff the  programs (320 city-wide).
• Cease-Fire/Maintaining Peace: Community intervention workers are assigned to each SNL site to help keep the peace at the site.

 Area parks include: Martin Luther King / South Park / Jackie Tatum Harvard Park / Van Ness / Cypress Park / Imperial Courts / Jim Gilliam / Jordan Downs / Mt. Carmel / Nickerson Gardens / Ross Snyder / Slauson /  Lafayette / Algin Sutton / Green Meadows / Toberman 

Since 2008, SNL has expanded from 8 parks to 32 citywide, leading to a 57% reduction in gang-related homicides in SNL neighborhoods.