Huber residents warned about hoops placement

Residents said putting the basketball hoops in the street is their only option because there is no park nearby.

Basketball hoops in public streets and rights-of-way are considered dangerous obstructions in several area cities, and Huber Heights police are distributing written warnings to ensure residents stay safe and follow the rules.

Alicia Erwin, one of two residents on Sandalview Drive to receive a warning recently, said the street courts are a result of limited public park and play space.

“We have about 30 kids within this area who like to come and play basketball. We don’t have a park within walking distance so we’ve kind of reverted back to the next best thing,” Erwin said.

Police Chief Mark Lightner said the warnings are complaint-driven and that officers have distributed a couple dozen since the weather turned warm. If hoops are not moved, warnings could turn into court dates.

“Sometimes, the kids don’t move when traffic comes down the street and that causes safety concerns,” Lightner said.

Jessica Daire lives in a cul-de-sac a few streets over from Erwin; anyone traveling from one house to the other will count at least ten hoops in-between.

“If it’s a law and it’s something that we have to do, absolutely, but I really hope that it doesn’t come down to that. The basketball hoop is part of these children staying active and keeping them outside,” Daire said.

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