Since the mid-1980s, juvenile justice data suggests that America's attempt to decrease violence amongst its youth and teens in many capital cities has been what could be defined as boldly reactive. As a nearly 20-year native of Little Rock, I firmly believe our city checks that box, too. Over the last few decades, I have been blessed to work with our city's youth, teens, and young adults. I have witnessed firsthand the importance of providing opportunities for our youth to be engaged, supported, and mentored. As a former student-athlete, father, and high school and collegiate football coach, I know from personal experience the importance of providing opportunities for our youth to thrive and build positive relationships.
Now, more than ever, our city is at a critical crossroads, and a bold investment in our children's future - mainly through youth sports and community development - is desperately needed. What I hope that residents of our city would understand is that doing nothing to address the social factors and determinants birthing crime and violence in our city are often reasons why we hear disappointing and disheartening news about our youth.
However, doing nothing will remain very expensive, not only for our city but also for our state. Did you know that it costs more than $300 a day to house a misguided juvenile in a detention facility? That cost possibly could have been avoided if they had a place to go where someone had the opportunity to invest in their lives. The social circumstances of each child's situation should not penalize them from access to an opportunity to pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Little Rock's recent plans for indoor and outdoor sports complexes are not just investments in facilities but in our youth, our safety, and our city's destiny. The proposed $60 million indoor sports complex and $55 million outdoor facility will do more than offer space for basketball or soccer—they will create safe environments where young people can build their futures, not destroy them. In reality, these strategic investments would provide a greater return than what we are paying in an attempt to rehabilitate our youth in the juvenile justice system. This is why doing nothing...changes nothing.
These projects are more than bricks and turf. Mayor Frank Scott, Jr. has rightly pointed out that investments in parks and recreation are investments in public safety and the overall quality of life. Data consistently reveals that when youth have access to constructive activities with positive mentors, it keeps them positively involved and away from negative influences and activities. Cities nationwide have seen the impact of robust recreational opportunities: they reduce crime rates, give young people purpose, and create strong community ties. As the city works to further reduce crime in Little Rock, these sports complexes can be a beacon of hope—a "place of destiny" where our children can pursue greatness rather than fall into despair. Unfortunately, Little Rock currently does not offer these facilities.
The city is asking us to support a 1-cent sales tax increase to make these dreams a reality. If this tax is approved, it will fund state-of-the-art sports complexes, ensuring that Little Rock remains competitive with other cities while keeping our young people engaged in positive ways. This investment will also generate millions of dollars annually, transforming parks like War Memorial and Hindman into hubs of activity for generations to come.
Some might say this is about parks and sports, but it’s so much more than that. This vision provided by Mayor Scott is about creating a future where our youth have opportunities to build relationships, where hope can be grown, and a purpose of positive pursuit in being the best that each child can be is birthed.
Being involved with the Little Rock School District's community-based 6th & Goal Mentoring Football Program over the past six years, I've seen firsthand how idle hands and lack of opportunity can lead young people down dangerous paths. But I've also had the chance to see how programs, facilities, and mentors can transform lives.
We can no longer sit on the sidelines and complain; we must get in the game and score a touchdown for our youth while also economically empowering our city.
If you say yes to the sales tax this November, you will be taking action to create safer streets, stronger communities, and a brighter future for every child in our city. Your vote will make a Little Rock where dreams can come true, not lives lost.
I'm voting FOR twice for Little Rock's future. Will you join me in supporting a dream that Coach Charles Ripley hoped one day would one day come true for Little Rock?