Today, Mayor Brandon Scott announced the creation of a new office designed to coordinate city agencies and community partners in the fight against violence in Baltimore.
The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE) will create cross-agency goals that engage law enforcement agencies such as the Baltimore Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office, in addition to city agencies such as the Health Department and Recreation and Parks. MONSE will be taking a more comprehensive, systems-design approach to reducing violence in the city in collaboration with community partners.
From the press release:
“Baltimoreans deserve to live in safe neighborhoods, where the public health of our communities comes first, and where our children can grow and thrive. As a city, we must embrace a more holistic strategy grounded in the immediate action we can take today while simultaneously addressing the root causes of violence — that’s the only way we will sustain reductions in crime” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement will be tasked with public safety coordination across city government and our neighborhoods. The office will be a key partner in my administration to ensure accountability across the board.”
MONSE will be led by Shantay Jackson, who has previously held positions with the Baltimore Community Mediation Center and the Baltimore Leadership Development Organization. Jackson leaves a position as CEO of EVOLVE to Lead, where she consulted for the Healing City Baltimore Steering Committee and served as Project Manager for the Baltimore Neighbors Network.
“Shantay is a lifelong Baltimorean who understands the impact of violence on our communities firsthand. As a certified mediator, facilitator, and leader, Shantay has a track record of inspiring transformational change,” said Mayor Scott. “I look forward to collaborating with her to effectively coordinate an all-hands-on-deck approach to building a safer Baltimore.”
For more information, view the full press release.
