By Anthony Council
Correspondent
Texas Metro News
As summer approaches and schools close for the year, the city of Dallas is gearing up for a season of fun and safety. Mayor Eric Johnson has officially launched the fourth annual Mayor’s Summer of Safety campaign, which comprises a variety of initiatives coordinated by numerous city departments and community partners.
This comprehensive citywide initiative aims to keep children and teens safe, active, and engaged throughout summer. The campaign features many free and low-cost programs from late May through early August.
Participating agencies include the Dallas Public Library, the Dallas Police Department, and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department. These organizations have offered programming that supports physical activity, literacy, career development, and overall well-being.
Mayor Eric Johnson stated, “We have a range of fun, educational, and safe summer programs available from several city departments. We do everything we can to promote safe and fun activities for our kids all summer long. We have something for
parents and grandparents.
The summer safety initiative is one of the many ways we show our youth that we care about them and are committed to keeping our city safe, ensuring kids have fun, and demonstrating that their city loves them.”
Among the programs offered are city-sponsored reading challenges, coding and technology workshops, sports leagues, swimming lessons, and art classes.
One of the campaign’s most popular features is the Teen All Access Pass, which grants teens free entry to participating recreation centers and cultural institutions across the city.
The offerings include the SMART Summer Program, which combines science, math, art, reading, and technology activities to keep young minds sharp during the summer
slide.
Another key highlight is the Mayor’s Youth Sports Ticket Program, which gives youth access to local sporting events and fosters community and teamwork.
Dallas Police Chief Daniel Comeaux emphasized the department’s commitment
to community engagement: “We’re going to be present, we’re going to be engaged in the community.
PAOW is absolutely going to mean something, it’s going to be a part of us. We want to work with the community, we want to work in the community, but most importantly, we want to be in the community.”
With various engaging programs and initiatives, the Summer of Safety campaign reflects Dallas’s commitment to creating a safe, enjoyable environment for its youth.
As the summer unfolds, city officials and community partners are eager to support Dallas’s young residents in making the most of their time off from school.
Anthony Council is a recent graduate of the University of North Texas And a member of the National Association of Black Journalists.
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