The vision of Safe Streets is “Peace in the Neighborhood.”

This vision is continuously pursued through several ongoing efforts. From setting up neighborhood watch groups, supporting youth involvement in the community, encouraging community mobilization, and forming the Safe Streets Coalition to address crime and safety concerns, Safe Streets work in the community is ever-changing.

Description:
Safe Streets seeks to reach its vision by empowering and mobilizing community members so they can deal more effectively with crime, safety, and substance abuse issues. Safe Streets partners with law enforcement in delivery of Neighborhood Watch, the Safe Property Management Training (landlord training),youth programming, and in the Safe Streets Coalition efforts.

History:
Safe Streets began as a vision in the heart of Reverend David C. Fulton in 1995. During his time as pastor at Trinity Lutheran Church, a senseless murder of a local college student in his congregation occurred. Personally affected by this horrific tragedy, the reality of crime faced him. This single event sparked the beginning of the Safe Streets program. Reverend Fulton’s initial assessment of crime prevention efforts in Topeka revealed an absence of an integrated community mobilization effort for the purpose of reducing and preventing crime and violence. Addressing these community needs became the foundation for the Safe Streets Program. Initially funded by the city, and housed in Shawnee Regional Prevention and Recovery Services, Safe Streets began as a collaborative effort of the City of Topeka, the Volunteer Center, Trinity Lutheran Church, Shawnee Regional Prevention and Recovery Services, and a host of other community agencies. With a vision for “peace in the neighborhood”, a foundation of partnership, and its roots in community mobilization, the Safe Streets program took off.

Contact people:

Sally Zellers, Director, (phone), (email) Liesl Hays, Community Mobilizer, (phone), (email) Lynn Smith, Youth Coordinator/Community Mobilizer, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (785) 266-3833

Address:

2209 SW 29th Street Topeka, KS 66611 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.safestreets.org

Directions:

Safe Streets is located near the intersection of 29th Street and MacVicar. It is across the street from Coldwell Banker Griffith and Blair Realty and next door to the Villages. Safe Streets is located in the basement of. . . (more)