A team of in-red ambassadors have hit the streets of Denton's Downtown Square, ready to offer a helping hand and ensure a clean, safe environment for locals and visitors alike, the new program, designed to be both welcoming and watchful, was unveiled on Monday, with Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth emphasizing the city's dedication to security.
"Obviously, the red uniforms stand out, it'll just make people aware that there's someone here to help," Mayor Hudspeth said, highlighting the importance of the ambassador program to community safety, a core responsibility of his office and the City Council, the program, funded for two years, will be under continuous evaluation, according to FOX 4 News.
According to NBC DFW, the city's partnership with the out-of-state company Block by Block brings expertise in security and event management to Denton's streets, with ambassadors capable of a variety of services that go beyond just keeping an eye on the square, from graffiti removal to sidewalk power washing and general cleaning, they also stand ready to assist the community with safety and hospitality patrols, the city hopes to extend the program beyond its initial two-year run, supported by funds from the general budget.
Block by Block's Project Manager Jake White declared that the ambassadors are not just a visual deterrent but also trained responders in the event of emergencies. "If they ever need assistance, if they’re ever in a dangerous situation, of course, we hope to mitigate those, but if it ever happens, the ambassadors are trained on how to call for help", equipped with relay radio devices that connect them across distances of up to 50 miles, these team members are set for just about anything, per FOX 4 News.
The reception from the Denton community has been largely positive, with local business owners expressing their support for the initiative, according to White, "Feedback has been good. Talking to the business owners, it’s clear there’s been a desire for a program like this for a long time," he said. The ambassador teams will see their numbers swell and contract in sync with the ebbs and flows of downtown events and peak periods, ensuring coverage that adapts to the Downtown Square's various needs, as cited by FOX 4 News.
