PHILADELPHIA - As city and community leaders try to find ways to protect kids from the gun violence crisis, a new program at several Philadelphia schools aims to keep students safe after the final bell rings.The folks in the blue vests outside West Philadelphia High School are community members paid to monitor dismissal, as part of the "Safe Path" program just instituted this year at eight Philly schools.
The goal is to help reduce violence and make sure kids get home safely. Malik Smith was eager to get involved."I’m from Philadelphia and I understand, kids come to school for their education, but there’s a lot of stuff that happens to and from, you know what I mean?
So, we just want to make sure they get their education," Smith explained.RELATED COVERAGE:"If we hear anything about problems that might be starting, we are gonna inform Officer Neal and the other people in place.
Just an extra set of eyes and ears," Safe Path monitor Tashi Grant said.Christine Winn-Oliver got her granddaughter from school Thursday.