Summer Night Lights program to keep LA parks open late for kids

HIGHLAND PARK, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The Summer Night Lights program, aimed at combating the influence of street gangs with positive action, will keep 32 recreation centers and parks opened later in Los Angeles.

The program, in its ninth year, allows children and their parents to enjoy the public areas until 11 p.m. during the summer.

"In 20 of the 32 Summer Night Lights locations last year, even as crime ticked up around the city, it stayed the same or even decreased in those parks," Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said.

Summer Night Lights provides activities for children of all ages, such as tug of war or a mini manicure, and there's free food donated by The Hungry Hog and Starvin' Steer.

U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch joined Los Angeles city officials to kick off this summer's program on Wednesday.

Lynch was in town for a community policing tour.

You can learn more about Summer Night Lights 2016 here.