Proposed Bill Focuses On Crime At Philadelphia Rec Centers
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - An apparent uptick in violence at city recreation centers is prompting a proposal from City Council for annual reports on rec center crime.
Eighth District Councilwoman Cindy Bass says to often, information she receives about violence at rec centers is anecdotal.
"If there's a shooting, or something that happens, it makes the news and gets our attention. But what else is happening there that may fly under the radar? And how can we get in front of all of the issues that are happening in terms of safety in our playgrounds," she says.
So Bass has introduced a bill that would require the Department of Parks and Recreation to put together an annual report of all crimes that take place at rec centers and playgrounds.
The measure, if approved, would require the first report by 2014.
The issue of rec center violence reared up again this past summer after a 12-year-old was raped at one center during normal hours of operation.
Earlier this year the Nutter Administration announced plans to spend more than $300,000 on surveillance cameras at rec centers to deter crime there.
