Mayor Brandon M. Scott opened applications for the second cohort of Baltimore City’s Community Action Lab Initiative. The first cohort launched in April in the Baltimore Police Department’s (BPD) Northern District.
The initiative focuses hands-on leadership and community development. Baltimoreans in that district learned how to revitalize their neighborhoods and improve public safety. The second cohort will expand to include residents, community partners, and small business owners in BPD’s Southeastern District. (Residents can find their BPD District here.)
“We are excited to expand the Community Action Lab to BPD’s Southeastern District,” Scott said. “Baltimore’s historic progress reducing homicides and nonfatal shootings would not be possible without residents working alongside government and law enforcement. The Community Action Lab helps us build on this progress by empowering those who live and work in our communities to enact positive change and improve public safety.”
The Community Action Lab is a partnership between the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), the Baltimore Police Department, and the Baltimore City Innovation Team (i-Team) as part of the City’s Neighborhood Public Safety Plan (formerly Neighborhood Policing Plan) work informed by insights from the University of Baltimore, the Newark Public Safety Collaborative (NPSC), and SafeGrowth.
These partners will help residents in the Southeastern District transform their communities through a paid, twelve-week leadership program. Sessions will take place from Aug. 31 through Nov. 20. They will learn practical skills in community development, violence prevention, environmental design, and neighborhood improvement. Participants will also learn how to design and implement grant-funded neighborhood projects in their communities.
“Lasting public safety starts with strong neighborhoods and meaningful partnerships,” said Police Commissioner Richard Worley. “By bringing residents, businesses and police together, the Community Action Lab helps turn local ideas into real progress and gives communities a stronger voice in shaping their future.”
The first cohort includes 17 participants who were chosen from more than 100 applicants. They represent neighborhoods from Park Heights to Hampden and have met every Tuesday over the last 12 weeks. They learned about S.M.A.R.T. goals, storytelling, and community engagement, and took a community walk through Park Heights. Representatives from local universities, community planners, and BPD officers helped conduct the sessions and support the participants throughout the program.
“The success of our first cohort showed us what’s possible when communities and government work together. Now we’re excited to bring that opportunity to even more Baltimore neighborhoods,” said Joale Jupiter, project manager for the Baltimore City i-Team.
Residents in the Southeast District interested in participating in the Community Action Lab should apply online. Applications are open until Aug. 2 at 11:59 p.m. There will be information sessions to help those interested in applying. To learn more, visit the i-Team’s website.
