ATLANTA — The greater than 100 individuals within the Metropolis of Atlanta’s Midnight Basketball program have performed a job in decreasing crime within the space. 

The initiative aimed to curb crime by reaching 18 to 24-year-old males, a demographic that reportedly commits crime on the highest price within the metropolis based on Ramondo Davidson, director of recreation for the Metropolis of Atlanta and Midnight Basketball league commissioner.

“The police alone can’t cease crime within the metropolis,” Davidson stated. “It’s simply not attainable, and that’s in any metropolis. What we’ve got to do is give them help.”

Davidson stated most of the gamers have a legal previous or a lower than stellar tutorial historical past. However in discovering a ardour that intersects leisure and sports activities, he stated the gamers can get again on observe. Midnight Basketball featured 10 groups this season, and the groups averaged about 10 gamers every.

Atlanta’s Midnight Basketball program | Dozens present as much as play a recreation, however go away with a shot at way more

“Their backgrounds might have been affected to the place they don’t have the identical entry or alternatives as folks that haven’t truly been concerned in these situations,” Davidson stated. “We need to give them a second probability. I believe a second probability can save lives.”

Marqui Olds, the league’s main scorer, performed Wednesday evening within the championship recreation. Olds, 21, stated the competitiveness on the courtroom retains gamers engaged. The league began in late March and met each Wednesday since. 

“It is preserving all people out of hassle,” Olds stated. “In the event that they weren’t in right here, there’s no telling what they’d be doing proper now. It’s a great way for each Wednesday, no less than you’re not on the market doing anything.”

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Davidson stated town invests about $6,000 every week in employees and safety to function Midnight Basketball. He referred to as it a drop within the bucket in comparison with the group. Earlier than this system began, there have been 17 crimes reported within the Adamsville and Collier Heights neighborhoods on Wednesdays from January to March. Because the league began in April, solely six crimes have been reported on Wednesdays, although none had been reported when video games had been being performed. 

A big group of followers and supporters, together with Atlanta Interim Police Chief Darin Schierbaum, Fulton County Sheriff Patrick Labat and several other Atlanta Metropolis Councilmembers, sat courtside for the championship. C.T. Martin beat MLK within the ultimate recreation 54-52 to take residence the winner’s trophy and a set of rings. 

“It’s only a actual cool expertise for them to return out and show their skills and for different individuals who might by no means get to see it,” coach Chris Polycarpe stated. “It’s essential that this grows to get extra individuals concerned with what town has happening, as a result of it is a excellent program.”

Davidson stated the league is rising, and extra groups will be part of this summer time. The Midnight Basketball League may even have new seasons beginning each few months. 

“The sky’s the restrict,” Davidson stated. “We’re going to proceed to do that, and we’re going to proceed to save lots of lives so long as we have to. We’re going to do it till we modify what’s occurring in our metropolis.”