Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the allocation of $8.8 million to five community-based organizations to fund the Safe Passage, Safe Blocks program for the Fiscal Year 2027. This initiative aims to bolster student safety by positioning 200 Safe Passage Ambassadors along more than 129 designated routes as students travel to and from school.
Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice, Lindsey Appiah, emphasized that the program goes beyond mere presence along school routes. “Safe Passage is about creating a network of trusted adults who know our neighborhoods and are committed to supporting our young people,” Appiah stated. The initiative is designed to foster a sense of safety and connection among students through consistent engagement and relationship-building within the community.
The Safe Passage program will operate in 11 priority areas, including Anacostia, Columbia Heights, and Petworth/Brightwood, among others. Key components of the program include monitoring student commute routes, collaborating with schools and local agencies to address community violence, and promoting regular school attendance. The program also focuses on engaging with families and local businesses to strengthen community support.
The organizations receiving funding include the Center for Nonprofit Advancement, Collaborative Solutions for Communities, Growing Up, Mute the Violence DC, and the National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens. Each organization will serve specific priority areas, enhancing student safety in neighborhoods across the city.
Residents and students will be able to identify Safe Passage Ambassadors by their distinctive green vests as they monitor routes and provide support throughout the community. For more information on the program, residents can visit the Safe Passage website.
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