So was anyone else startled by the new rules for the city&rsquo;s community centers?</p><p>No? The recent news should have caused a head snap.</p><p>Among the new measures: <em>Spectators will not be allowed at basketball games.</em></p><p>Parents and friends of budding athletes no longer will be invited to watch the intramural league play? </p><p> Called on it, Parks and Recreation officials say they don&rsquo;t intend on being quite that Draconian. Rather, the rule is to keep youths from congregating in large groups off the court as others compete. At some events, there are more people hanging than kids playing on the teams. And apparently they aren&rsquo;t there to support a favorite squad. Staff wanted more say in whom they can ask to leave the premises. </p><p> Officials insist the new rules are not in response to a shootout in January at the Tony Aguirre Community Center.</p><p> OK. So the review began before that horrific night, when staff and bystanders dived for cover and shielded children from bullets. Suffice it to say the new rules are applicable.</p><p>Police recovered four guns that night, but here is the scary thing: The guns recovered weren&rsquo;t the guns used in the shooting. Meaning, more than just the shooters were packing heat that night.</p><p>At least four injuries resulted, none was life-threatening.</p><p>It should be emphasized that for the vast majority of the time, the city&rsquo;s community centers are safe places. City officials are simply reacting wisely to a tough situation.</p><p>They hedged away from using metal detectors because the devices reinforce the sense that the centers are unsafe, which is not the image the city desires. And the detectors might not have prevented the January shooting. The centers are configured with too many exits to feasibly secure with manned detectors.</p><p>A 15-year-old juvenile has been charged with aggravated assault in the incident. Police think there were other shooters but need witnesses to come forward. At this late date, maybe that is too much to ask, but it would be a huge public service if someone would cooperate. A lot of people were present that night.</p><p>Other changes for city community centers: Walkie-talkies for better communication among staff, adding staff in part- and full-time positions, upgrades to security cameras and no coats or bags allowed into the gyms.</p><p>Whatever it takes to keep a few hoodlums from ruining events.</p><p>Community centers must play the same sort of role in leveling the playing field as libraries, parks and public school districts do.</p><p> Everyone, no matter what their economic level or where in the city they reside, should have access to the types of activities held at the centers, and they deserve the assurance they will be safe at the night&rsquo;s end.