ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — From open gym events and movie nights, St. Petersburg teens can take part in several activities meant to keep them safe and having fun this summer.
The city announced its "Safe Summer" event series as part of Mayor Ken Welch's Pillars for Progress city vision.
"Safe Summer" opens with various events beginning this weekend with a block party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 8 at the Campbell Park Recreation Center. Families can celebrate the beginning of summer break while learning about violence prevention, the city said in a news release.
The Safe Summer Block Party is co-sponsored by the Tampa Bay Rays.
The main part of the campaign, however, is the Safe Summer Fridays. From 6:30-10:30 p.m. beginning June 14, St. Pete youth between the ages of 12-16 will have access to a safe space with an open gym, movie nights and refreshments at the Lake Vista Recreation Center.
Guardians of teens must sign a waiver before attending the events. The event is hosted every other Friday, and the full list of dates can be found here.
"A 'Safe Summer' is defined as one where residents in the community take the initiative to be active in neighborhood projects and programs," Lisa Wheeler-Bowman, the City's Community Impact and Safety Liaison, said in a statement. "St. Pete residents are encouraged to be vigilant and to take care of the people that live around them. 'See something, say something' is the main focus of this summer programming."
Last year, Welch honed in on different events and trainings to keep residents active and safe within the community. This year, he is using "Safe Summer" as part of his Neighborhood Health and Safety pillar.