Yesterday, the Summer Night Lights (SNL) event at the Wilmington Recreation Center, also known as Will-Hall Park, was crowded with people eager to see Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
Even though he arrived a little late, the community happily welcomed him and excitedly took pictures with him.
The Summer Night Lights (SNL) program was created to reduce gang activity in neighborhoods where gang violence is high. As I type this, I hear police sirens and helicopter flying around Wilmington.
There’s been some controversy circling the Summer Nights program since July, when two teenagers were shot in Wilmington after one of the events. Villaraigosa defended SNL and said it was a great program in spite of the tragic events.
John Kramer, 20-year-old Wilmington resident, came out to the event after seeing a large group of people gathering. He acknowledged that the park does have a bad reputation for violence.
“I heard there were 5 shootings in the past 2 months…I do agree it’s a gang violent park,” said Kramer. Whether those shooting happened but were unreported or whether those are rumors, community members suffer by feeling unsafe.
It was great to see so many resources available to community members, such as free on-site STD/HIV testing, financial assistance programs, the teen center, earthquake preparation organizations, other gang reduction groups and more. But the longest line was the line to get food.
Unexpectedly, retired American basketball player Bill Walton attended the event. Son Luke Walton, Los Angeles Lakers forward, was also expected to attend but sadly didn’t.
Since it was my first time attending Summer Night Lights, I was impressed by the great turn out, but according to Project Director of the Wilmington Teen Center, Melissa Cortez, said it was the first time so many residents and programs came out to show support.
“We don’t have this everyday…like the STD truck here. The DJ we have it once in a while,” said Cortez in a frustrated tone.
Cortez said the success of the large turn out was because of Villaraigosa’s appearance.
“It’s all politics,” she said.
Free chicken tacos were served for everyone, but according to Cortez it was the first time fresh food was ever served. She said that at previous SNL events frozen food had been given out.
According to the mayor’s office, since 2008, the program has expanded from 8 parks to 24 citywide, leading to a 57% reduction in gang-related homicides.
Mayor Villaraigosa said there have been 700,000 visits to the 24 parks and 400,000 people have been fed.
When I told him it was rumored that people were being fed frozen food at past events he said, “mi’ja, people are being fed.”
I also mentioned to him that I was told the event never had as many people or resources attend and he agreed that parks had bigger celebrations when he came out to them.
Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy their time eating the tacos, dancing to the music, playing sports, and getting their shirts signed by Villaraigosa. As a result of the positive reaction from the community the mayor plans to expand the program to more parks.
I am surprised that this article would even be published. Wilmington continues to have an negative image because of irresponsible people like Melissa Cortez. My kids were at this event the whole summer and it was great with a huge turnout nightly. The feeding was fresh and fabulous with no frozen food ever. Did she say that she had to be replaced at the Teen Center with the previous Director, Connie Calderon who is 70 years old because Melissa had ran down the Center. Yes Melissa was fired. Anabell please do some research before you turn in an article that based on a frustrated person with false information. Why didn't you write about the many positive comments instead of talking to Wilmington's most negative person. Maybe you should have called the Teen Center or Mendez Center regarding the downfall of the Wilmington Teen Center at the hands of Melissa Cortez. The event at the park was great and the community hope it will return next year.
First of all, this is the first time visiting The Wilmington Wire. I had a few calls and links to this article. After reading it I was very disturbed. But before I responded I first read the other articles posted by the Wilmington Wire. Now I question myself as to do I come to this site for laughs or to get informed. After reading the Mayor's visit article I am leaning towards laughs, but after reading about Hoyas and the Waterfront Park opening I don't know. I know Melissa and so I am leaning back to laughs. But cannot ignore the fact that this supposedly Wilmington outlet can even write something this comical, especially since I know the source. Someone told me that she was on the payroll for the Summer Night Light program and others say she was terminated from the park. Again I know Melissa. Rumors on what she allowed to go on at the Wilmington Teen Center while she was in charge and again I know Melissa. The Wilmington Wire, I may return, for laughs or information, we'll see!
One more thing, did Anabell Romero talked to anyone else at the Mayor's visit or is she a friend of Melissa. Can't contradict a friend in the public's eye.
Hi Lisa:
Thanks so much for your response. Please keep in mind that this is a blog, which means that anyone can post anything. I spoke to other people at the event that night and that is what they told me. I've already spoken to Kenny, director of the park, and I will be doing a follow up blog post interviewing him in response to this. That is the point of the WIlmington Wire; to create dialogue between community members. Our goal is not to portray Wilmington as a negative neighborhood. In contrary, our goal is to inform our community and give them an opportunity to inform one another.
-Anabell R.