The Downtown BID has hired 40 Downtown new SAMs, who will hit the streets just as the spring tourism season ramps up. Following graduation exercises on Friday, April 3, the Downtown SAM Class of 2009 will join about 90 BID staff currently patrolling and maintaining the 138-block BID area.
“At a time when the local economy is retracting and the unemployment rate has shot up to 9.9%, we’re especially pleased to be able to contribute by hiring these indispensable personnel,” says Richard H. Bradley, Downtown BID executive director. Without question, the SAMs—who serve in the one-square-mile border between the US Capitol and the White House seven days a week—play an extremely important role in ensuring that the Downtown experience is a remarkable one. They offer directions, notify police when trouble arises; provide after hours escort service to garages or public transportation after hours; engage the homeless; and remove litter, trash and graffiti.
Safety and Hospitality SAMs undergo extensive training for two weeks where they research, explore and become knowledgeable on issues such as crime prevention and reporting, first aid and first responder training, communication skills and homeless services. Four weeks of field training with experienced SAMs follows the classroom lectures, role plays, site visits and drills. This year, 29 are scheduled to graduate from the training program.
Maintenance SAMs, who help keep the streets litter free, paint, plant flowers, hang banners and remove graffiti, participate in classroom training for one week where they learn how to care for trees and work with property managers, Department of Public Works employees and Metropolitan Police Department officers. Almost one dozen Maintenance SAMs will participate in the commencement activities.
SAMs have patrolled Downtown streets since 1997, when the Downtown BID was created. Overall, 70% of the SAM corps are DC residents.