What does it mean for every child to feel safe and a sense of belonging?
Community members gathered for “Safe to Be: Voices on Youth Safety & Belonging”, an event focused on creating safer, more supportive environments for young people at school, at home, and when encountering law enforcement.
The discussion was led by community advocates and youth-focused organizations to examine the factors that influence young people’s safety, well-being, and sense of belonging. Organizing partners included Keep Still Cares Foundation, PFLAG Frederick, and the Black Health Equity Coalition of Frederick.
Presenters included Andy Solages of Indivisible Frederick Forward and Tiana Massaquoi, Chair of the City of Frederick Education Commission and co-founder of Keep Still Cares Foundation. Drawing on their community advocacy and youth development experience, the presenters encouraged attendees to consider how families, schools, community organizations, and public institutions can work together to better protect young people.
A central part of the discussion addressed a May 25, 2025, incident involving a 15-year-old Boy Scout who was approached at gunpoint by two Frederick County Sheriff’s deputies while participating in a Memorial Day vigil near St. Ignatius Catholic Church. The incident raised concerns about law enforcement interactions with juveniles, parental notification, and the accountability process that followed; it provided an opportunity to raise awareness and encourage community advocacy amid concerns that the Sheriff’s Office has not taken meaningful steps to address the incident, with one deputy receiving only six hours of docked leave. With the election season approaching, advocates are working to build public support for policy changes, including a mandate requiring officers to notify parents or guardians when force is used against their children—a measure already adopted in Baltimore and another Maryland jurisdiction.
The family’s efforts to seek accountability highlighted opportunities for policy improvements, including requiring parental notification when juveniles experience police use of force, strengthening restrictions on pointing firearms, and establishing additional considerations for law enforcement encounters involving young people.
The Frederick County NAACP and the Maryland chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union have also advocated for changes to use-of-force policies, providing the Sheriff’s Office with recommendations informed by practices in other jurisdictions and established model policies.
Beyond law enforcement, the event addressed youth safety across multiple environments, emphasizing that creating a sense of belonging requires attention to the experiences children have in their homes, schools, and communities. Ultimately, the conversation emphasized that youth safety is a shared community responsibility. Residents were encouraged to stay informed, support local organizations advocating for policy improvements, participate in public meetings, and communicate with elected officials and law enforcement leadership.
Attendees were also encouraged to participate in two community surveys focused on youth safety and public safety, providing an opportunity to share perspectives and help inform future advocacy and policy recommendations.
Safe to Be reinforced the importance of listening to young people, supporting families, and working collectively to create environments where every child can feel protected, respected, and valued.
