Treasures From Newark

Inspired by conversations shared during the Promise Neighborhood National Conference last October, Promise Heights took several of our partners to Newark, NJ to meet with Mayor Ras Baraka and to learn about the Newark Community Street Team's (NCST) award-winning Safe Passage program. Promise Heights’ Executive Director Bronwyn Mayden and Assistant Director Rachel Donegan returned home excited and ready to partner with the Mayor’s Office of Baltimore City, Catholic Charities Safe Streets Sandtown-Winchester, Baltimore City Public Schools, and NCST to bring Safe Passage to Upton/Druid Heights.

The day began in Newark’s City Hall with Mayor Baraka. Each team explored the importance of community involvement as a key component of crime prevention, and the Mayor offered sage advice for developing close community partnerships. Meanwhile, Aqeela Sherrills, the Executive Director of the Newark Community Street Team and the creator of the Safe Passage program highlighted their groundbreaking work. NCST employs Newark residents, some of which are returning citizens, to stand watch over school children as they walk to and from school each day. Efforts have had a beneficial effect on neighborhood safety and attendance.

Afterward meeting with Mayor Baraka, the Baltimore group observed the Public Safety Roundtable convened by the NCST which engages more than 70 service providers, schools, university, hospitals, the state’s attorney’s office, community members, police, and other stakeholders. Beyond discussing crime stats, they explored each group’s proactive and effective methods to prevent crime.

Finally, the group visited several South Ward schools to see the NCST in action while local high school students were heading home and interacting with its staff and school police officers. Promise Heights identified clear methods to work with Safe Streets, and we look forward to sharing more news about this later this year.