Below is our email to Mayor and Commission urging them to implement Block by Block in downtown Athens. The Slide Presentation is available here.

May 17, 2024                                      

Dear Mayor and City Commissioners:

Attached is an outline for the implementation of Block by Block Safety and Outreach Ambassadors for downtown Athens.  This proposal is meticulously designed to cater to the unique needs of Athens based on thorough homeless data analysis, and includes insights from UGA parents, students, and other community members.  Below are the key reasons why it is imperative to consider and support this innovative program:

Safety Ambassadors

  • Safety escorts via phone app for instant assistance

  • Positive interactions with visitors, addressing various concerns

  • Providing additional aid to individuals and establishments in need

  • Enhanced presence and deterrence in public spaces, trails, etc

  • Vigilance towards assisting vulnerable populations and crime trends

  • Monitoring crime prevention through environmental design

  • Assisting in litter removal and overall cleanliness

  • And much more…

Outreach Ambassadors

  • Engaging with street homeless and panhandling populations to connect them with services

  • Building relationships for effective service linkage

  • Life-saving interventions with Narcan accessibility

  • Emergency response training for critical situations

  • Rapid connection of veterans and families/minors to necessary services

  • Collating accurate homeless data for informed decision making

  • Assisting in litter removal and overall cleanliness

  • And much more…

Cleaning Ambassadors

  • Provide specialized cleaning services - all types specific to needs.  In our case - cleanliness of the Portland Loo near College Square.  Cleaning could include the Rainbow Sidewalk, and other ACC commissioned art sculptures.

  • Interact with visitors, communicating concerns to Safety Ambassadors

  • Assisting in litter removal, empty trash, etc.

  • And much more…

Why Block by Block?

  • Proven success in over 140 cities, 24/7 on-site program management

  • Integrate technology for comprehensive services

  • Addresses known safety gaps and provides needed layer of security to mitigate risks

  • Efficient resource management and recruitment practices; take on all liability

  • Excellent hiring practices with jobs over $20 per hour, 401K, benefits, training and conferences, growth opportunities; hire 2nd chance employees and/or those with “lived experiences”

  • Commitment to community service and workforce development

  • Collaboration with law enforcement for positive community policing with efficiency

  • Supplements Advantage Behavioral Health outreach initiatives and first responders efforts

  • Enhancing safety at large community events

  • Adherence to nonjudgmental, community oriented values, fostering a culture of safety and inclusivity

  • Provides data-driven recommendations for efficient resource allocation during budget season through proprietary SMART System utilization 

As we make this recommendation to you, we emphasize the urgency of addressing public safety needs in Athens Clarke County.  With a commitment to data integrity and community well-being, a Block by Block Safety and Outreach Ambassador program is an effective proactive layer (one of many) for a comprehensive safety/security solution for our city.  The programming has been benchmarked from many university safety/security assessments.  Current similar ACCGov service efforts are not meeting the mark as indicated by survey.  It is imperative to implement and support within the budget a Block by Block program.

We do NOT have affiliation with any other group or organization.  We are nonpartisan working groups; our mission only is to proactively enhance safety and security infrastructure in the UGA campus and Athens communities.  Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit SafeD Athens operates independently and takes in only enough money for operating costs.  With that said, we have data integrity as the basis for our solutions and recommendations.  

Thank you for your consideration.

SafeD Athens