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Location: Submitted At: 4:29pm 04-19-21 Everyone has concerns, qualms and of course they should, I only offer potential solutions. Eliminating the basketball courts may be a deterrent, but we need to face facts here. I grew up playing in Madison park and it always had a negative stigma in the eyes of many. A lot of that comes from the area of the basketball court. However it is not the court themselves that are the issue, but the isolation of that area, the one section of the park that seems cut off from the rest of the park goers. Unless someone is specifically walking to that area, or parks directly by it, no one knows what actually goes on there. I offer two suggestions: 1. Re-locate the basketball courts closer to Madison Avenue, where there is more traffic from the people, the police, and may invite new players who actually want to play. Eyes on that area would reduce criminal activity, criminals don't want to do illegal acts in broad public view where everyone can see them and report on them. 2: Create more paths back there, make new equipment, maybe an outdoor gymnasium to promote health, increase reasons for the population to want people to travel back there, increasing more sights on the courts, and people who will report issues. Lakewood citizens do not turn a blind eye on criminal activity in their neighborhood. I have been in that park for over 25 years, I'm in my 30's, I have seen criminal activity and know what these people do not want, and that's attention to what they do. Create a reason for everyone to feel welcome over there and interrupt the comfort at which the criminals perceive to do as they wish. The courts themselves are not the issue, the perception that they know no one goes back there and interrupts what they're doing is. Our primary defense is seeing and reporting. Basketball attracts many races, ethnic groups, and statuses together to play, removing it only increases people's needs to find something to do, which may have potential to be negative, give them their outlet. Mary Anne Crampton Location: Submitted At: 4:08pm 04-19-21 1 fully support the recent communication presented by Council Representatives Neff, Kepple and Shachner and would like to speak to the value of a comprehensive approach to public safety. Mike McDonald Location: Submitted At: 4:01 pm 04-19-21 I strongly oppose the removal of the basketball hoops at Madison Park. While i understand this is a difficult time for leadership, I strongly oppose the lack of transparency being shown by council, the police and the mayor's office and request a valid reason that the hoops were taken down be given on the record tonight. Finally, I request that the LWPD proactively recruit a far more diverse workforce. Candace Martin Location: Submitted At: 3:05pm 04-19-21 1 implore the council members to support re-instating the basketball hoops/court at Madison Park, and to encourage the use of Madison Park by people from all walks of life, without the use of intimidation or surveillance. Promoting inclusivity and accessibility needs to remain at the forefront of Lakewood's public agenda. Mary FLYNN Location: Submitted At: 2:55pm 04-19-21 1 oppose the taking down of basketball hoops at Madison Park. I oppose Lakewood Park basketball courts being closed. I believe we should ensure that Lakewood hire police officers who are completely vetted so that no racist persons are employed by the citizens of Lakewood. I further support that community policing is done by officers on bicyles throughout the community. Gabrielle Smith Location: Submitted At: 2:48pm 04-19-21 1 oppose the recent decision to close the basketball courts at Madison Park in response to recent gun violence that occurred. It was a hasty decision that will do nothing to address the problem and will punish the responsible kids/citizens who wish to play basketball. LPD should engage the public instead of labeling basketball as a