Lakewood removes hoops at park in wake of shootings, police request

LAKEWOOD — The city of Lakewood has removed the basketball hoops at Madison Park’s basketball courts at the request of the police department in wake of recent shootings.

In a statement, Mayor Meghan F. George said the basketball courts will be temporarily closed during the ongoing investigation.

The police department requested that the basketball courts be closed immediately due to new evidence that “came to light,” George said. She did not specify what kind of evidence.

“While we understand the importance to the community that our basketball courts serve as wonderful recreational outlets, my obligation as safety director is to ensure a safe environment for all patrons of the park,” George said. “We look forward to reopening the court as soon as possible.”

Emmanuel Cedeno, 18, is charged with attempted murder, while Corey Froberg, 18, is charged with complicity to attempted murder in the shooting Tuesday at Madison Park in the city’s Birdtown neighborhood.

This is the second shooting at Madison Park in about a month. A man was shot in the arm on March 12 on the south side of Madison Park near the basketball courts in an incident in which several shots were fired by several people, police said.

In a video statement released Friday, George said she is taking the shootings “very seriously,” and “proactively working to put in measures to make sure our community feels safe.”

Once police allow the city to open the courts, the city will do so immediately, she said.

There will be a public safety meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, where City Council will address the shooting.

Lakewood Councilman-At-Large

Tristan Rader deferred all requests for comment to George’s office as she made the decision to close the basketball courts. He noted that council will have the opportunity to discuss the issue at the meeting.

A Lakewood police SUV sat near the empty basketball court Saturday morning.

A man, who asked to remain anonymous, walked his dog past the park and commented that it’s not fair to have the basketball courts shut down because of the people who choose to commit a crime.

The city says only the basketball courts at Madison Park are closed.