Trustees consider ordinance after residents flag safety concerns about street basketball

Trustees on the Village of Swansea Board discussed a proposal to address basketball hoops and games in public rights-of-way after several residents reported safety and neighborhood-disruption concerns.

At a judiciary committee update, a trustee described multiple complaints about kids congregating and playing in streets where through traffic creates hazards. Building and Zoning Director Dan Thomas, who provided the committee memo and has been reviewing the village’s code, told trustees he is evaluating ordinance language and implementation timelines and recommended consistent wording across locations. "Generally, you get something in code that says you can't obstruct the public way, and you roll it out as best as you can," Thomas said, noting the need for uniform definitions to avoid selective enforcement.

Trustees discussed possible enforcement approaches and alternatives. Several members emphasized education and voluntary compliance before enforcement, but others said a code change would "give us some teeth" by creating a clear basis for action. Trustees raised practical concerns including liability if the village created designated play spaces on vacant lots, and how a time-based restriction (limiting play during evening hours) might be enforced.

The board asked staff to draft ordinance language and return with a proposed item for the next meeting so trustees can decide whether to move to a formal first reading. The discussion was framed as direction to develop consistent code language and an outreach plan rather than an immediate regulatory change.