Faith For SAFE Streets
The epidemic of traffic crashes unites us all. People of every faith, neighborhood, race, class, gender, age, and ability are hit personally by this issue.
Our congregations have lost children, spouses, parents, and siblings and, in many cases, suffer from life-altering injuries.
Our communities have paid the highest price for society’s failure to recognize that we have a preventable public health crisis: traffic violence.
As faith-based leaders, we can use our pulpit, prayers, and powerful voices to remind our communities that it is up to each and every one of us to ensure no one else dies in traffic, that we are all responsible for each other and must slow down, pay attention and support solutions that save lives.
How Can We Unite?
What is Faith for SAFE Streets?
Faith for SAFE Streets is a program of Streets Are For Everyone, also called SAFE, which was formed in partnership with Pastor Patricia Strong-Fargas of Mt Salem New-Wave Christian Fellowship Church. It is a faith based coalition brought about to work towards reducing traffic-caused fatalities to Zero, focusing on the hardest-hit areas of South Los Angeles.
What to Know
About Faith for SAFE Streets
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Traffic Violence in South Los Angeles
While Los Angeles is known as the deadliest major city in the US for traffic crashes and is the hit and run capital of the US - an average of 48% of all collisions in LA are a hit and run - South LA is the epicenter of this public health crisis.
During 2020 South LA saw a 23% increase in serious injuries and fatalities. In 2021, South LA experienced a 62% increase in serious injuries and fatalities over 2020.
The primary problems are speeding, distracted or impaired driving, and a lack of support for sensible solutions that could be implemented by local and state leaders.
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Uniting in Prayer for Safe Streets
We can use our pulpits and powerful voices to memorialize those who’ve been killed and to remind entire communities that it is up to each and every one of us to make sure there are no more deaths in traffic, that we are all responsible for each other and must slow down and pay attention.
While your voice is powerful, imagine if, as a combined voice of many houses of worship, we were all taking a moment of our time to pray for, preach about and help educate our congregations on how to prevent traffic crashes in South LA.
You can educate and empower your congregation!
Together as a united voice, we can also demand that sensible solutions - solutions that are known to save lives on the streets, reduce racial disparity and improve health equity - are implemented by our government leaders.
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What does Faith for SAFE Streets Do?
It all starts with education. As a faith-based leader, the more you understand the problem and the best ways to address this problem, the more you can do to help others.
It continues with empowerment. There are so many ways you can help protect your congregation and community from traffic violence.
Faith for Safer Streets can help to empower you with sensible solutions and tools to use.
These solutions might be as simple as using some of your time on the pulpit to pray for safer streets and remember those who have been lost or seriously injured in traffic crashes.
It could include encouraging parishioners to put up our free traffic safety signs and banners across the community reminding people to slow down and watch for pedestrians and cyclists.
It could include organizing a campaign to get your street re-engineered so it’s safer for everyone.
It is ultimately about your voice. What you say and do with your congregation to address this public health crisis has a ripple effect across the community.
When we all create ripples together, we can create a tidal wave of change and save lives.
Executive Steering Committee
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Rev. Patricia Strong-Fargas
Pastor, Mt. Salem New-Wave Christian Fellowship Church
Co-Chair, Faith for SAFE Streets
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Damian Kevitt
Executive Director, Streets Are For Everyone
Co-Chair, Faith for SAFE Streets
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Dr. E. Wayne Gaddis, Sr.
Pastor, Greater St. Augustine Missionary Baptist Church
President, California Missionary Baptist State Convention
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Dr. James I. Jones, Jr.
President, South Bureau Ministerial Alliance
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Rev. KW Tulloss
Senior Pastor, Weller Street Missionary Baptist Church
President, Los Angeles Baptist Ministers Conference
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Rev. William Smart
Co-Pastor of Christ Liberation Ministries
President & CEO, Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Southern California
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Rev. Myrna Rochelle
Representative of Bethel Unspeakable Joy Christian Church
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Rev. Robert Vasquez
Ministry Developer, World Impact
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Rev. William George Davis, Jr.
Pastor, Rock of Faith Missionary Baptist Church
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Rev. Byron L. Smith, Sr.
Pastor, Gethsemane Christian Love Missionary Baptist Church
Joining the Movement
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How Can I Help?
Attend our monthly virtual meetings to learn about the issues and coordinate future live events and campaigns.
Join us at our live events to remember those lost, pray for safer streets, and demand that solutions be implemented to save lives.
Most importantly, spread the word to your congregation and other houses of worship.
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Register Your Interest
Register your interest in Faith For SAFE Streets using the form below.
Register
Let us know what you are interested in regarding Faith for SAFE Streets and how you feel you could best help.