Safe walking routes designated in Philly as students head to new schools next month

With the first day of school less than a month away, a plan is in the works to make walking to classes safer in Philadelphia.

 Several organizations are working together on Walksafe Philadelphia to create safe corridors for all students, but especially the 10,000 going to new schools this year because their old ones were closed or relocated.

Student Hacinah Abdul-Rahman worked on the project.

“One of our goals is not only to improve the condition of the community through recording information and reporting it to the mayor’s office, but also recruiting members of the community to become town watch members and signing up local businesses to become safe havens for students to go if they feel unsafe,” Abdul-Rahman said.

The program revolves around an increased police presence and volunteers who will monitor routes at the beginning and end of each school day.