In a year where Los Angeles was looking to cut everything that wasn't necessary, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa chose to take a stand behind a small program that makes a big difference in out neighborhoods.

The Summer Nights Lights program keeps parks open at night - until midnight four nights a week from July 7 to Sept. 4. But that's not all. The program hires staff to coach, teach and umpire, provides jerseys and even feeds families.

The bottom line:

Gang-related crime is down 40%
Gang-related homicides are down 57%
And shots fired are down 55%