The City Safety Patrol has been roaming the streets of Bristol for 20 years but their work has also taken them to Palestine, Jamaica and received recognition from the United Nations. The group has developed since the early days when founder Reverend Dr Dawnecia Palmer was leading groups into areas of St Pauls that were seen as off-limits to police officers.
The volunteer patrollers receive training to attend places where conflict may take place. Sometimes just making their presence known is enough to increase safety or help to de-escalate a tense situation. From local football matches to anti-bullying initiatives at schools, their work over the years has put them in contact with a range of groups and communities across Bristol.
It all started in the early 2000s when Rev Palmer wanted to take positive action to reduce knife crime. “I thought we could be a presence [on the streets] and speak to the perpetrators directly. When I went there on my own, I wasn’t intimidated but I noticed that they were vulnerable,” explains Rev Palmer.
