STUDIO CITY : Basketball Court Closure Debated

A controversy has erupted in Studio City between residents and sports enthusiasts over a decision by city officials to close a basketball court because of safety concerns.

The Studio City Recreation Center, 12621 Rye St., removed the hoops at the court Wednesday, one week after a gun was fired during a fight between two men, one of them a basketball player. No one was injured.

Nearby residents say the shooting capped a series of escalating problems at the basketball court, including fistfights, profanity, littering and traffic. They support the Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department’s decision to take down the hoops because they say it may prevent another violent incident at the park, which draws many children.

But basketball players who use the court say the move was unfair to them.

“It’s an unfortunate situation,” said Bob Tarr, assistant park director. “Whose rights are more important--the safety of the children, or the rights of taxpayers to come to the park and expect that the basketball facilities could be used? I think the best solution would be if we could get (police) surveillance once we have the baskets back up.”

But basketball player Nidal Ramadan said he believes some residents--those who were effective in lobbying the park manager to remove the hoops--were motivated by reasons other than safety.

Ramadan, a Lebanese-American IRS agent, said he is one of about 40 basketball players, mostly white professionals, who have been using the courts for years. After the 1992 Los Angeles riots, about a dozen men--mostly young and black--began playing at the courts, Ramadan said.

“It’s a predominantly white neighborhood,” Ramadan said. “All the mothers with their kids are white, the tennis players are white. I’ve heard people say, ‘We don’t want them here.’ ”

Area resident Margaret Orton angrily denied that race had anything to do with neighbors’ concerns about the basketball court.

“I don’t think there is a single person on our street who pays any attention to (race),” she said.

At least one ballplayer, Jack Knight, who also is a nearby resident, said he thinks the hoops should stay down temporarily because “it sends the message that if you fool around, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Knight’s telephone number is posted on the court’s backboards, which he said people can call for information about the missing hoops. Knight said he has set up a meeting among players, residents, park officials and the Los Angeles Police Department on Wednesday night to discuss conditions for the hoops’ return.

Measures might include requiring players to sign a code of conduct or changing the tacit rule by which victorious teams are allowed to keep playing on the court, Knight said.

The suspect in the shooting was arrested and will be charged with assault with a deadly weapon, said Jim O’Riley, an LAPD senior lead officer. The suspect was released from police custody after making bail, O’Riley said.