Safe Streets

Since 2007, Safe Streets has been Baltimore’s flagship gun violence reduction program. Founded in 2000 by epidemiologist Dr. Gary Slutkin, Cure Violence is a public health approach that uses trusted messengers in the community to interrupt the transmission of violence. Violence interrupters spread anti-violence messages and encourage positive changes in individual behavior as well as community norms around violence. In 2007, the Cure Violence model pioneered in Chicago came to McElderry Park in East Baltimore. 

Our Partners

How many people does it serve?

Safe Streets serves the residents within its 10 catchment zones across Baltimore City, totaling 2.6 square miles.

How has Safe Streets contributed to crime reduction?

Past evaluations of the program from Johns Hopkins have found that Safe Streets sites are associated with decreases in fatal and nonfatal shootings, both in the sites' target areas and the area immediately surrounding the sites. In 2020, Safe Streets sites mediated over 2,300 conflicts. In June 2021, the Cherry Hill site celebrated over one year without a homicide within its catchment zone.  Safe Streets logo

How are communities responding to these programs?

A core piece of Safe Streets' model is community mobilization. Sites host events and conduct daily outreach to share information, build trust with community members, and spread the Safe Streets message via credible messengers. Safe Streets sites are regarded as trusted community hubs to access resources and conflict mediation services. In 2020, Safe Streets sites hosted 451 community mobilization events with 58,000+ total attendance.

Safe Streets is starting an intensive internal evaluation to identify ways to improve the levels of service and outcomes provided by the ten sites. Using state funds, MONSE has contracted with Dr. Joseph Richardson, Acting Chair of the African-American Studies Department at the University of Maryland, and Dr. Daniel Webster, Director of the Center for Gun Violence Prevention and Policy at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, to also evaluate Safe Streets and recommend steps for updating the model and integrating an improved Safe Streets into an ecosystem of care to address violence in our communities.

Safe Streets Safe Summer 2024 Schedule 

During the summer months, Safe Streets sites host events, activities, and resources for Baltimore residents to promote peace and public safety across neighborhoods.

Residents are encouraged to join sites for an official kickoff event on Saturday, May 25 from 2:00 - 6:00 pm to enjoy giveaways, face painting, music, food, and more. 

Safe Streets Safe Summer Flyer

May 2024

  • May 25: Safe Summer Kickoff Event| 2-6 pm at Druid Hill Park, Basketball Courts (3003 East Drive, Baltimore, 21217
  • May 29: Belvedere Ladies Night Sip & Paint | 4-7pm at 5320 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore, 21215
  • May 30: Sandtown Safe Summer Celebration | 2-5pm at the corner of Laurens and Gilmore St, Baltimore, 21217. 

June 2024

  • June 1: Woodbourne McCabe Annual Community Day Partnership |12-4pm at Family Dollar Parking lot (5313 York Rd Baltimore, 21212)
  • June 5: McElderry Park Wing Fry | 4-7pm at McElderry Park (500 N Lakewood Ave, Baltimore, 21205)
  • June 8: Park Heights Crab Feast at Towanda Rec Center | 2-6pm at 4100 Towanda Ave, Baltimore, 21215
  • June 14: Belvedere Father’s Day Game Tournament | 4-7pm at Pan Yard- Park Heights Ave & Spaulding Ave
  • June 15: Sandtown Father’s Day Celebration | 2-4pm at 1530 Presstman St, Baltimore, 21217
  • June 15: McElderry + Amazing Grace Church Juneteenth Celebration | 11am-3pm at Amazing Grace Church 2424 McElderry St, Baltimore, 21205
  • June 18: Brooklyn Safe Summer | 4-6:30pm at 423 E. Patapsco Ave, Baltimore, 21225
  • June 20: Belair Edison Safe Summer: Safe Start, Safe End | 2-6pm at Herring Run Park between Chesterfield & Parkside Drive 
  • June 20: Cherry Hill Safe Summer | 4-7pm at 638 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, 21225
  • June 28: Belvedere End of School Celebration | 12-4pm at New Elizabth Baptist Church(4901 Park Heights Ave, Baltimore,  21215)

July 2024

  • July 1: Penn North Block Party | 2-6pm at 605 Baker St, Baltimore, 21217
  • July 10: Woodbourne McCabe Youth Resource Fair | 10am-2pm at 5313 York Rd, Baltimore 21212
  • July 13: Franklin Square Crab Feast | 2-6pm at Kirby Lane Park (1822 W. Saratoga St, Baltimore, 21223)
  • July 20: Brooklyn Field Day Safe Summer | 4-7pm at Farring-Baybrook Recreation Center (4501 Farring Ct, Baltimore, 21225)
  • July 20:  Sandtown and Sandtown Winchester Community Collective Music in the Park | 3-6pm at Pauline Fauntleroy Park (1300 block of N Stricker St, Baltimore, 21217)
  • July 20: McElderry Summer Splash | 4-8pm at 500 N. Luzerne Baltimore, 21205 
  • July 25: Cherry Hill Safe Summer | 4-7pm at 638 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, 21225
  • July 27: Belvedere Open Mic | 1-5pm 3716 W Belvedere Ave, Baltimore, 21215
  • July 27: Woodbourne McCabe Crab Feast | 2-6pm at Alhambra Park (5200 Alhambra Ave, Baltimore, 21212)
  • July 31: Penn-North Kings Dominion | 9am-6ppm departing from 2242 Pennsylvania Ave, Baltimore, 21217 

August 2024

  • August 22: Cherry Hill Safe Summer | 4-7pm at 638 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, 21225

September 2024

  • September 26: Cherry Hill Safe Summer | 4-7pm at 638 Cherry Hill Rd, Baltimore, 21225

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