(WEAA)— Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott launched a Safe Passage initiative to increase the safety of students as they travel to and from school.
The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), the Mayor’s Office of Children and Family Success (MOCFS), Baltimore City Public School System, and the Maryland Transit Administration Police (MTA) will work with area schools to monitor student traffic and ensure safe travel from school to home.
“I want to thank all of the partners who have convened to make Baltimore Safe Passage a reality for our young people,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “As we head into the final weeks of school, this initiative is a critical part of our broader youth safety focus during the summer months. No effort is too great when it comes to the wellbeing of Baltimore’s youth and we are proud to offer this resource to provide safety to our students and peace of mind to our families as we head into the summer.”
At the end of each school day, Safe Passage Partners will convene at designated sites from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Assigned officials will work in partnership with Frederick Douglass High School, Vivien T. Thomas, and Renaissance Academy school communities, MTA Police, and Baltimore City agencies not only to keep peace amongst students, but to also offer resources that may be needed.
Officials say areas were selected based on the number of student-involved incidents using data from MTA Police, the Baltimore Police Department, and City Schools.
“The safety of our children is a responsibility that we all share. Baltimore Safe Passage is indicative of the dedication that our internal and external partners have to the success of Baltimore’s young people,” said Executive Director Shantay Jackson of MONSE. “We are proud to offer this means of coverage for our students as they travel from school and appreciate the great collaboration in the co-production of public safety.”
Mondawmin and State Center have been designated as the first Safe Passage priority areas.
Additional locations will be assigned in time for the 2023-2024 school year.
To view the interactive map of Baltimore’s Safe Passage Priority Areas, click here.