SUITLAND, Md. — Prince George's County has concluded the first week of their pilot 'Safe Passage Program' which is intended to help students get home safely after school.
Volunteers like Phyllis Wright are Prince George's County's newest way to deter youth violence in Maryland's second-largest school system.
"We don't interfere in fights, but we are like security," Wright told WUSA9 outside of Suitland High.
The program places at least two volunteers at school dismissal in an effort to monitor potential dangers as students walk home.
The following six schools are involved in the pilot program:
- Largo High School
- Suitland High School
- Charles Herbert Flowers High School
- Central High School
- Bladensburg High School
- Andrew Jackson Middle School
Wright says she has decided to be one, of more than 120 volunteers, that have signed up because as a mother of two students, safety is a top concern.
"You hear a lot of kids say they don't want to come to school because they don't feel safe. So with us being here, none of us are armed, but we are armed with Jesus I must say that," Wright added.
Volunteers are asked to communicate with students, but if a situation turns dangerous, they are instructed to contact police immediately.
The program has garnered the support of Prince George's County officials like Krystal Oriadha.
"There's a safety issue and crisis that we have right here in Prince George's County, not only are young people being victims of crime but also we have a shortage of crossing guards," Oriadha said.
It was after school dismissal, last September a 16-year-old DuVal High School student was shot and killed. Investigators say Jayda Medrano-Moore was attempting to break up a fight.
"When you see a purple shirt, that is a friend. That's an ally," Prince George's County School Board Member Branndon Jackson said.
Jackson says the program still needs another 180 volunteers to meet the demand, but he considers the first week a success.
"We need to be out in the community, as a physical presence as a deterrent from crime or traffic activities, anything could happen. We would like to see this program reach every school," he added.
D.C. launched it's own Safe Passage Program, which pays ambassadors, in 2017.
Commissioner Anthony Tilghman says that he sees a strength in having volunteers, because it means people are showing up that want to see a change in their community.
"If you volunteer that means you're giving up your time. If you're being paid to be here, you're like on the clock. But that volunteerism makes it more important," Tilghman added.
Organizers say, they will measure the success of Safe Passage by taking into consideration the number of incidents registered before the program, and the number after the implementation.
Prince George's Officials like Jackson and Oriadha say they would like to see the program grow to include all schools in the county.