As a high school principal, I have personally witnessed the profound impact of the youth mentoring program, The Public Safety Cadets, conducted by Baltimore County Police Department. The program operates in every precinct of Baltimore County and shapes our youth, instilling in them a civic mindset and preparing them to be productive community members. One of my proudest roles is being a mother to a child deeply involved in this program, which prepares youth to be successful in a world where sometimes the lines can be blurred between right and wrong.

Unfortunately, despite its significance, The Public Safety Cadets program faces existential threat due to a lack of consistent funding. It is currently underfunded through a general fund, leading many dedicated officers to use their personal resources to uphold the endeavor. Bittersweetly, this system is unsustainable and the county now faces the harsh reality of having to pause this valuable program. 

Senator Salling sees the programs value and is taking up its champion however he needs our support. It is untenable to let such a program, genuinely serving as a beacon for our youth, to demise under financial constraints. We, therefore, call for earmarking an annual budget specifically for The Baltimore County Police Department Public Safety Cadets program. You can learn more about the program https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/police/community/youth-programs

Honoring county's commitment to supporting our youth and fostering trusted relationships, it is vital that we secure funding to continue the good work of this program. If your district Senator is not in support of this petition you should be asking why not, because with the current culture and climate of youth crimes in our communities it is time to ensure that our youth have the mentoring, guidance and skills they need to navigate tough decisions. Please, sign this petition and endorse our plea for a better future for our young and vibrant community. Lend your voice in securing a brighter future for our children and our communities.