I for one, am glad that the hoops are coming back to Lakewood. Having played every spring, summer and fall at Roosevelt School, with nada a problem, during my youth. Our leaders used the same logic to tear down the hoops and ban pit bull's in the city, keep the undesirables out of the city. Surly that would work. Not. Both happened in a city that is very diverse. Do they realise that many white people, who own home's and businesses here, also rescue pit bulls? Take for instance the woman who owns 2 pits, but lives in a house in the clifton lagoons, never to be bothered by animal control. She must be white. I think the time has come to overturn this ban on a certain breed of dog that may very well be owned by white folks, adopting from the shelter to SAVE lives, as they say over 40% in shelters are pit's or a mix. At last count, dogs are a $54 billion gold mine here in the US. Therefore, pits can account for up to 40% of that total. Regulate the bad owners, not those trying to do some good for this great breed. I challenge the Mayor and Councilman to give me specific facts on how this ban is making me and my family SAFER. It cannot be done with any real facts or logic. And did it get rid of all the undersirables here? Lets get back to a progressive city by following in the states footsteeps on this issue, and quit using the race card.

Hi - lets hope there is some REAL supervision at this new courts. Lakewood is attracting a lot more "questionable" activity all over town. Just walk around 117th and Detroit/Clifton area if you want to see the beginnings of a new urban decline. AND, several of us waiting for the RTA 55 bus just a few days ago around 1pm were subjected to random gunshots - yes, gunshots at 1pm in Lakewood! Call the Mayor/Police and find out what is going wrong with Lakewood. There were 4 shots fired in the vicinity between Detroit and Clifton on Cove. There were 7 of us waiting at the bus stop at Clifton and Cove and heard it all. Then at least 5 Cleveland and Lakewood police cars arrived and we were asked by an officer if we saw 3 men with hoods running? Luckily, the gun shots were about 1 1/2 blocks away - but open your eyes Lakewood, the "hood" and all its negatives are clearly a part of daily life now in East Lakewood. And what is the Mayor doing about it?? Building more hoops to attract more unemployed and potentially dangerous elements to our city? These are facts, not racism, so lets move beyond the race card and talk about the realities of life in population and economic declining Lakewood, before it is too late.

HI Steve - thanks for your "insights". I lived in PHillie for a decade and saw that city dramatically decline when officials refused to curb the undesirables = gangs, drug addicts, homeless, thieves, unemployed trouble makers = move into once normal, middle class hoods. Guess what? The taxpaying folks left town and now almost 50% of Phillie is close to being termed a ghetto = empty buildings, dirty streets, unsafe at all hours. Keep your eyes closed Steve and dream it may not happen here in Lakewood - well, let hope you are right. But when was the last time you walked around the east side of Lakewood? I shouldn't have to move, change routes, or get a car to be safe in the town I pay a lot of taxes too. But i suppose, you probably are a renter and can truly leave at any time. Lets get real folks and talk about the decline of this town on the east side. It is a reality! This has nothing to do with racism, race, hoodies, etc. The gangs, meth addicts, druggies, troubled unemployed are all over east Lakewood. What are you goin to do about it except take cover when the bullets fly at you Steve?