Studies of after-school programs in New York, Los Angeles, and Baltimore showed that getting kids involved with extracurricular activities not only improved their academic performance, but also decreased their rate of involvement in youth homicide, crime, and violence. “69% of police chiefs said ‘after-school and child care programs’ are the most effective strategies for reducing juvenile crime, preferable to trying juveniles as adults, hiring more police and putting metal detectors in schools,” (After-school Alliance). This is a staggering statement; imagine that something as simple as debate club could have that great of an effect on the well being of children and a community as a whole.