Downtown Little Rock needs an Ambassador Program, and the City of Little Rock needs to help find a way to fund it. It’s the right way to invest in our city to make it a safer and more welcoming place to live and work, as well as a more attractive destination for tourism and recreation for out-of-town visitors and Little Rockers alike. 

An Ambassador Program is a community safety and neighborhood engagement program putting a boots-on-the-ground service team on our downtown streets. Ambassadors work daily in the same neighborhoods, so they build relationships with ALL the people there. 

For small businesses, one of our biggest challenges now and throughout the pandemic has been an increasing number of people aggressively panhandling and disrupting our normal business activity. The only option right now is to call the police, but the people involved -- often suffering from mental health or substance abuse issues -- need the sort of help police don’t provide.  

Instead of ignoring them or arresting them, ambassadors learn their names, help connect them to resources and deflect them from bothering businesses and customers. They also serve as a first resource to businesses when there is an issue. Instead of calling the police, staff can call the ambassador, who is often able to defuse the situation and prevent another nuisance call to LRPD. 

There are many other benefits to Ambassador Programs. In most places Ambassadors wear brightly colored uniforms so they can be easily identified. They act as customer service representatives for the city and give tourists a great first impression by offering directions to a hidden gem or filling them in on local history. They also report city maintenance issues that contribute to the perception of a safe and welcoming downtown.  

Countless cities around the country, large and small, have invested in themselves and their future by creating Ambassador Programs. They’re increasing public safety, boosting economic development and improving the quality of life for all residents. Downtown should be the crown jewel of Little Rock, and the city should treat it as such by creating and funding a robust Ambassador Program immediately.  

We respectfully ask that the Little Rock City Board of Directors make this a priority when developing the 2023 budget.  

Want to help? Please email the City Board of Directors board@littlerock.gov and ask them to support an Ambassador program for our city. 

Jack Sundell, The Root Cafe

Phil Brandon, Rocktown Distillery

Bart Barlogie, Raduno

Don Dugan, Dugan’s Pub / South on Main / Dizzy’s Gypsy Bistro / Stratton’s Market

Lane Guthrie, Handle Barbershop

Shelley Green, Green Corner Store

Chris Tanner, Samantha’s Tap Room & Wood Grill

Juli & John Brandenberger, Community Bakery

Will Trice, The Rep

Brad McCray, Brewski’s Pub & Grub

Jenanne Filat, Barakat Bespoke

Suzon Awbrey and Chris King, Stickyz Rock-n-Roll Chicken Shack / The Rev Room

Rob Byford, The Library Kitchen + Lounge

Sam Ellis, Rocktown River Outfitters

Sam Walls, Arkansas Capital Corporation

Michael Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas

Ben Brainard, Big Bad Breakfast

Brandy Thomason McNair, Bella Vita Jewelry & Gifts

Amy Counce, Nexus Coffee & Creative

Dan Kovach, Copper Grill

Chris Cranford, Cranford Co.

Daniel Bryant, Gus’s Fried Chicken / Big Whiskey’s Downtown Grill and Bar

Helen Grace King, @ The Corner Diner

Lara Kahler, Moxy Modern Mercantile

Gio Bruno, Bruno’s Little Italy

Christina Basham, Boulevard Bread Company

Fidel Samour, Fidel & Co Coffee Roasters

Valerie Wingert, South Main Creative

Mac Murphy, M2 Gallery

David Shipps, Midtown Billiards

Lisa Zhang, Three Fold Noodles+Dumpling Co.