Jul 24, 2007 11:00 pm US/Eastern
Dorchester Rink Helps Keep City Kids Safe
by Liz Walker
DORCHESTER (WBZ) ―
There have been 38 murders in the city of Boston so far this year, many of them on the streets. As city officials continue to grapple with how to stop violence, one local institution has become a haven for peace.
But there is a lot of work -- and fun -- going on in Dorchester. The bi-weekly skating parties at the Chez Vous Roller Rink -- which includes community outreach and conflict resolution -- are part of Mayor Menino's neighborhood response program. As I found out in a conversation with one young man, between the roller skates and the hip-hop beat, lives are being changed.
Liz: So what exactly is crumping?
Anthony Robinson: It's a new form of dance; it's a spiritual dance… It's a mighty dance so everything is real hard. It's real spiritual. A lot of people, as you see, they feel each movement, each arm swing, each stomp they feel it.
Liz: This looks like a chaotic scene, but I know there is a method to the seeming madness. What is going on here?
Robinson: This is probably one of the safest nights in the city of Boston where youth get together; they partake in a skate party.
Calvin Boykins, 16: Fix the skates.
Liz: You are still a gang-banger. Why stay there why not come here all the way.
Boykins: Mainly my entire gang thing is like a family thing… I feel like I can do what I do without leaving my family… My cousin Terrence just passed and ever since he passed, I been thinking about having a better life. He was killed on the streets… I got family dying. I got to pay attention to what I got to do.
Aima Aikhoje of the Chez Vous Rink: There are so many other distractions out there that are calling them to do other type of negative things, a place like this is O.C.
As many as 500 kids show up for these skating nights at Chez Vous, with minimum problems and no violence.
Organizations from all around the city send representatives with information about college, jobs and other services. It's really a great experience for the young people. My only complaint is it's the loudest room I have been in…in a long time, but the kids love it and its safe.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
