Select the correct text in the passage. Which statement in the passage best indicates that the author is biased in support of recreational centers?
Why We Need a Recreational Center
With the onslaught of crimes committed by minors in our neighborhood, we desperately need a recreational center. When I was growing up, the
rec. center was my favorite place to go. Saturday night bashes with food and live DJs. Ping-pong and billiard tournaments. Study sessions with
friends after school. Movie and game nights. That's what I did for fun, all in a safe and adult-monitored environment. My experience sharply
contrasts with that of the youths Ive been observing.
Every day after work I drive through our neighborhood and see the same thing teenagers loitering in front of yards, looking bored and up to no
good. Five of my neighbors cars have been broken into in the past three months. Seven houses, including mine, have been toilet-papered and
egged. And according to the police department, these numbers only increase during the summer. During the summer months of 2007 alone,
there were 11 car burglaries and 13 criminal mischief and vandalism offenses in our neighborhood. Such statistics prove that we must provide
something for these teenagers to do.
A recreational center would offer these kids an economical and safe place to socialize and have fun-even while studying. Upon the
implementation of a community recreational center program in Winfield, Kansas, crimes committed by minors decreased by 70%. The same
thing can happen here.
I have heard some people complain that we can find better ways to spend our tax dollars. If you can find something that has more personal,
social, community benefits. I would like to hear about them. In a nationwide study conducted at Pennsylvania State University, researchers
compiled a list of the benefits perceived by the American public. According to the study, users of recreational centers benefited from exercise,
entertainment education, relaxation, interaction with community members, and affordability. And you don't even need to use the recreational
center to experience its benefits. Researchers found that 71% of non-users said they received some benefit." One participant stated, "I'm
grateful for the recreational center because it keeps kids off the streets."
For the future of our neighborhood and our children, let's do what is necessary to clean up our youth. Let's give them a recreational center.