North Baltimore Journal

Mondawmin and Sate Center Designated as Baltimore's Initial Safe Passage Priority Areas

BALTIMORE, MD. - On May 30, Mayor Brandon M. Scott launched Safe Passage Baltimore, a strategy geared to increase safety amongst students as they travel to and from school. In collaboration with 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), Safe Passage Partners will monitor public transit areas with heavy student commuter traffic at the end of each school day.

"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."

Areas were selected based on the number of student-involved incidents in the area 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."

Each day, Safe Passage Partners convene at designated sites from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the end of the school day to monitor student traffic and ensure safe transition from school to home.

Safe Passage Partners work in partnership with area schools, 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 and supports that may be needed.

Mayor Scott designated Mondawmin and State Center as Baltimore's first Safe Passage priority areas for students of the Frederick Douglass High School, Vivien T. Thomas, and Renaissance Academy school communities. Priority areas will expand in time for the 2023-2024 school year.

Members of the public can find an interactive map of Baltimore's Safe Passage Priority Areas here.

Original source can be found here.