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​How do we help kids get to school safely?

Lead Agency 

Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice (DMPSJ)

Deputy Mayor:

Lindsey Appiah 

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Community Based Organization Partners

  • Center for Non-Profit Advancement   

  • Collaborative Solutions for Communities (CSC)  

  • East of the River Family Strengthening Collaborative  

  • National Association for the Advancement of Returning Citizens (NAARC)   

  • YAAY ME, Inc.

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Fiscal Year(s) Funded

FY22 - FY25

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Status 

Ongoing

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Contact 

Jasmin Benab

Jasmin.Benab@dc.gov

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For More Info

https://safepassage.dc.gov/

Program Summary 

Safe Passage, Safe Blocks is a District-wide youth safety program that targets eight priority areas with higher rates of crime during student commute hours. Within each priority area, Safe Passage serves select DC Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools. Safe Passage employees walk students through the neighborhood to and from school.  They build relationships with students and schools to support conflict resolution, restorative justice, de-escalating conflict, and contacting other city safety personnel when appropriate. 

How does it help? 

Safe Passage employees serve as an additional set of eyes and ears during students’ commutes. They are specially trained to build positive, trusting relationships with students and help connect school leaders with potential conflicts.  The Office of the Deputy Mayor for Education hosts coordination calls for each of the initial safe passage priority areas between the school leaders, police officers, and transportation specialists who work in those areas to create solutions for any student safety issue that is present in that area.

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How much is invested?

The program is funded through American Rescue Plan Act funds, for a total of $15.2 million across the fiscal year 2022 to the fiscal year 2025.

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Who uses this program?

In the 2022-23 school year, the program is serving 52 school sites across eight identified priority areas: 

  • Anacostia Metro Station 

  • Minnesota Avenue Metro Station 

  • L'Enfant Plaza/Waterfront Metro Station 

  • NoMa-Gallaudet Metro Station 

  • Good Hope Road SE Corridor 

  • Congress Heights 

  • Columbia Heights 

  • Petworth/Brightwood

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DME Safe Passage Interactive Map

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