Detroit's 'Occupy the Summer' plan aims to curb youth violence with late-night rec centers, mentors

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]It's a citywide strategy to help keep children and teens safe, especially during a time when violence tends to rise across the region.

[00:00:08]Well, in just a few weeks, young people will be out of school, and neighbors across Detroit don't want that downtime leading to dangers like senseless violence.

[00:00:16]>> Yeah, that's why Mayor Sheffield, police, youth mentors, neighbors, and business owners are announcing the city's summertime safety strategy. It's called Occupy the Summer. I'm told it's an initiative that was designed with input from teens who chimed in during visits to local schools and at listening sessions. Take a look. We know that as the temperatures rise, our children, our seniors, our community, everyone is waiting to come outside. We see year after year gun violence and violence in general start to rise. And with that history and in light of recent incidents like teen takeovers downtown, the city of Detroit is announcing its strategy to help keep youth, especially teens, safe.

[00:00:58]>> Let's own our summer.

[00:01:00]This summer, Detroit >> Sheffield gathering with a wide range of community members to officially launch Occupy the Summer. The initiative is designed to engage, empower, and connect with local youth. We will have nine of our rec centers that will be open till 11:00 p.m. With Occupy the Summer, extended rec center hours means young people will have greater access to activities like basketball, fitness centers, swimming pools, e-sports, and other games. The city's also bringing back its once popular midnight basketball events. Occupy the Summer is more than just a program.

[00:01:32]It is a movement to reclaim our neighborhoods with positivity.

[00:01:36]Organizers say Occupy the Summer programs are safe spaces with mentors.

[00:01:40]Coach Dwayne Daniels is with Detroit City FC. Growing up from the east side of Detroit, over in the 4125, the reason I'm alive right now, if I'm honest with you, is because I found myself. I had great role models. Occupy the Summer will also include special activations in public spaces each Friday starting in June, where youth will find fun and entertainment from local and nationally recognized artists. The main thing that youth need is just attention. That's it.

[00:02:03]They just want some attention and a little bit of guidance. Detroit rapper Icewear Vezzo is a dad and believes Occupy the Summer is also an opportunity for parents to stay engaged. Most of it I feel like, well, I know it start at home and I just think that the parents should try to be a little bit more hands-on. But however, as a parent, I understand that we have a lot of things going on and sometimes we fall off with things. So, that's why we creating programs to just reach out to the parents and so they can stay in tune with the with their kids' lives as well.

[00:02:33]And Occupy the Summer events officially kick off June 12th. However, the Occupy the Summer website is currently up and running. That's where teens and parents can get a jump start on registering for events like Midnight Basketball. Now, I've also added that link under this story on clickondetroit.com.