Community Outreach

COAST collage

The Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) builds positive relationships between University of Maryland, Baltimore Police and Public Safety and the communities we serve. 

COAST was formed in October 2018 to provide opportunities for the UMB community and its West Baltimore neighbors. We use progressive, community-based policing to become a part of the community. COAST has become a nationwide model for outreach and crisis intervention efforts. In 2019, COAST won the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Proactive Crime Prevention Programs in Maryland. 

COAST Services

Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD)

LEAD is a nationwide program that redirects people arrested for low-level drug offenses to treatment, a case manager, and other services. The program allows police officers to engage with people who have substance abuse issues to reduce harm to themselves and the community. UMB Police and Public Safety partners with the Baltimore Police Department, which was one of the first departments in the country with a pilot LEAD program. Learn more. 

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

This unit performs no-cost security assessments in buildings and public spaces across UMB, including street lighting, cameras, door locks, and more.

Police Athletic/Activities League (PAL)

UMB Police and Public Safety provides free after-school mentoring for youth in the community. PAL participants build relationships with police officers, security officers, police communication operators, and administrative personnel to gain a better understanding of what it takes to serve the community. Activities include homework help, opportunities to learn through games and activities, field trips, and overnight conferences.

Homeless Outreach 

Cpl. Yale Partlow is UMB Police and Public Safety’s outreach and intervention officer. He is certified in Crisis Intervention Training and works with the Baltimore Police Homeless Outreach team to provide resources for persons who are homeless or unsheltered. UMB Police and Public Safety hosts regional Homeless Symposiums to discuss best practices in delivering social services to those in need. Cpl. Partlow worked with Paul’s Place to launch a street outreach collaborative team, which brings together police, social workers, doctors, and students. COAST fosters partnerships with other agencies and community organizations as a leader in outreach and intervention. 

Comfort K9

Comfort K9 Poe joined UMB Police and Public Safety in April 2022. Poe and his handler, PFC Anthony Summers, work to build positive relationships between police and the communities we serve. As a comfort K9, Poe provides support to people in times of crisis, to communities impacted by violence, and to victims of tragedy. Poe also provides stress relief and affection to people coping with anxiety or depression. 

Community Engagement Academy

Members of the community can attend UMB Police and Public Safety’s Community Engagement Academy to learn about the department’s history, how we make decisions as police officers, how we grow through continuous training, and future plans for the department. The academy encourages feedback from the community as we strive to learn and improve each day. 

Learn More