Summer of Safety Initiative to Give 10,000 Dallas Teens Free Attraction Passes – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

The City of Dallas is one month away from the start of the third annual “Summer of Safety” public safety campaign, aimed at keeping teens safe and out of trouble.

Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson, Police Chief Eddie Garcia, Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde and other leaders announced the third annual initiative Monday morning at the Mattie Nash-Myrtle Davis Recreation Center .

While violent crime is down for the third year in a row, the summer months traditionally bring an increase in crime.

The project encourages teens ages 13 to 17 who live in Dallas to visit some of the city's top attractions and participate in free readings, sporting events and day camps.

“We offer cycling lessons, horseback riding, youth basketball camps, midnight basketball, boxing, movie nights, library programs, outings to our city parks and our recreation centers,” DPD Chief Eddie Garcia said, listing some of the activities available.

The Dallas Parks and Recreation Department's Teen All Access Pass will provide up to 10,000 Dallas residents, ages 13-17, with a pass to free activities during the month of July.

The pass provides free entry to museums, water parks, nature centers and other venues.

Interested parties are asked to visit any Dallas recreation center to register and receive the pass.

Passes can be picked up at leisure centers starting July 1, at 10 a.m., while supplies last.

The summer campaign also includes other programs offered by the town hall and DPD.

Other initiatives include the SMART Summer Reading Program and the Mayor's Youth Sports Ticket Program, which provides Dallas youth with the opportunity to attend local professional, collegiate and amateur sporting events for free.

The Dallas Police Department also offers youth programs throughout the summer, ranging from boxing programs to movie nights, according to a city news release.

The teen passes would be distributed among the city's recreation centers.

Community advocates have expressed concerns that low-income, high-crime areas are not being prioritized in the program.

There is also concern that parents and adolescents may not be informed of these opportunities in time.

Johnson told a crowd of parents and community members in attendance that they would soon begin posting information about the summer initiative on digital billboards across the city.