New initiatives expand community benefits of L.A. County Parks ’ innovative nighttime programs

A Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation program called Parks After Dark provides a safe space for the community during evening hours. According to a report by the  UCLA Center for Health Policy Research, new initiatives added to the program in 2017, its eighth year, paid notable dividends.The UCLA report found that the expanded services not only saved the county money, but also provided residents with easier ways to access mental health services, as well as valuable gang intervention and other activities for youth and young adults in at-risk neighborhoods.► Read a brief summary of the reportThe report found that Parks After Dark ’s safety efforts prevented 41 violent crimes and nearly 480 nonviolent crimes in neighborhoods near county parks between 2010 and 2017. The reduction in crime saved the county about $2.2 million in criminal justice costs in 2017 alone, according to the report.Parks After Dark programming like guided walking clubs, group exercise, team sports and other physical activities also helped reduce costs — for both Los Angeles County and the participants — by reducing expenditures for treating chronic diseases; the report estimated a savings of $1.1 million for 2017. Given the program’s $2.4 million budget for 2017, the report estimated that the net savings for the county and residents was $90 0,000.► Read the full report“Providing a safe place for people to meet, exercise and have fun is the primary goal of Parks After Dark,” said Nadereh...
Source: UCLA Newsroom: Health Sciences - Category: Universities & Medical Training Source Type: news