Alexandria: Inadequate summer recreational programs, violent crime on the rise

Alexandria, LA (5/29/2023) – As we come off the first summer holiday for most and get ready for summer without adequate recreational programs in the City of Alexandria, we must address the lack of real summer recreational programs for the kids of the City. We have asked all five council members to share information with their constituents on what, where, and how activities for the summer for the kids. 

Apparently, not responding to the needs of the citizens in their district is the norm amongst them, as no one has come out to say why there are no summer activities or explain the lack of access to summer nutritional programs.

Despite the citizens paying a recreational tax yearly, the Roy administration has decided that 3 hrs a week at a different place in the community will be sufficient for our kids. A MERE 3 HOURS! Not a day at 5 locations. No 3 HOURS one time a week. 

At a time when murder and mayhem among our youth are at an all-time high. The equipment and resources that the Hall administration allocated at Peabody Magnet Hight last year for summer activities have been removed. There is little to no activity at all other community centers that typically host these summer recreational programs. 

Jeff Powell and the Rapides Parish School Board have programs in place for academic enrichment and nutrition, but for whatever reason, this administration and council have no plans yet to implement an actual comprehensive recreational program for this summer. 

Why would a decision such as this be made? Who would believe that not being an arm of support for those that want and need it to survive the summer months would be the best-case scenario for our community?

They likely know what this decision means—another long and bloody summer for our youth. The opportunity to get away from the mayhem going on daily in your community is something some 6 – 16-year-old kids look forward to surviving. They need these moments to realize they don’t want to be criminals. There is hope, and they can become productive members of the community.

But for whatever reason, a local government that spent $10.3 million, according to the former Hall Administration, last year on Johnny Downs for repairs and upgrades to the ballpark and approved $1.4 million this year to make the Weiss and Goldring Building look attractive to a buyer. This government now lacks essential vision, does not have a plan, and hasn’t allocated the resources to put programs and staff in place to be proactive at preventing violent crime, thus helping save some of our kids.

When you look around the state at places with similar crime and economy as Alexandria, these places still value their youth and the summer programs. Monroe, Shreveport, and Baton Rouge all have daily programs organized for their kids. 

For example, Macon, Georgia, is very similar to Alexandria in the criminal element and the mayhem that goes on. Still have all of their parks and gyms open from 7 am – 6 pm for their youth this summer. 

So what is our administration and city council’s reasoning for this option? Was it funding? Was it staffing? They begin making this decision in February. Why not come to the churches and the people in the community and ask them to get involved?  

This is a sign of the administration and city council, who either don’t care about the at-risk youth in our community or don’t realize the benefits of someone or somebody stepping up to fill the void of missing out on structure and guidance that can provide for a kid’s future. 

We at UrbanCast want and feel what is best for our kids should be on the list of the highest priorities of this administration and council. Instead, we have members focused on furthering their professional or political careers with a track record of nothing in their current roles. 

During election season, we will remember this inaction and total lack of care and compassion for our kids. Trust and believe; we will remind the people who care and who don’t.  Who tried and who just said, “It is what it is” You will have to answer for this decision every chance we see fit. 

The days of our community sitting back uninformed while the haves move in silence to continue keeping the have-nots down, UrbanCast will speak out. But when you decide not to give a damn about the kids! Now you are stepping into a pile of manure, and we will make sure the stench follows you everywhere you go.