The Bayside Neighborhood Association convened two sessions of the Community Voices for Road Safety Pedestrian Safety Campaign, with 10 participants attending each session. This initiative, part of the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s new pedestrian-focused safety effort in Portland, Lewiston, and Auburn, brought Portland residents directly into the creative process of shaping public safety messaging. Rather than using a traditional top-down approach, the campaign asked community members—many of whom walk daily as their primary mode of transportation—to help guide the message drivers and walkers need to hear, determine the creative look of the campaign, and identify where these messages would be most effective.

The sessions, each lasting 90 minutes, were designed to address the rising pedestrian injuries and fatalities in Portland by centering the voices of those most affected. Participants received $50 compensation for their time, and snacks and beverages were provided. Jeff Larason, Highway Safety Communications Program Director for Community Voices campaign moderated the program. The neighborhood-authored campaign that emerges from these focus groups is set to roll out in Spring 2026.

Pedestrian injuries and fatalities are rising nationwide — especially in urban communities where many people walk out of necessity.  We need your input to change that, and you could get $50 for your time.

As part of their “Community Voices” approach, The Maine Bureau of Highway Safety is partnering with The Bayside Neighborhood Association to host a community discussion to learn from residents about the risks they see, the behaviors they witness, and the educational solutions they believe will work. These insights will directly inform the campaign’s content and outreach. Two focus groups are scheduled for Monday December 15th and Tuesday December 16th. Both groups will meet at 6pm in the Steve Hirshon Community Room at Unity Village, 24 Stone Street Portland. Please indicate your availability for either date below.

Participants are compensated with a $50 stipend. Applications to attend the focus group are being accepted by the BNA through December 12th. If interested please click here:  https://forms.gle/V5nNSyVMYykP2eHk9 

for more information email safestreets@baysideportland.org 

The City of Portland is updating its Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) to improve how we prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Your insight is invaluable. We would like to hear your experiences and ideas to make sure this plan truly reflects the needs of our diverse communities. Your input will help us build a plan that is inclusive, effective, and ready for anything.

You can find all the details on the project page here: https://portlandmaine.gov/emergencyplanning

We’re asking residents to share their ideas and concerns through a survey and an idea board on the website, which are open now through November 30, 2025.

The BNA Safe Streets Team is involved with everything concerning pedestrian and bicycle safety, including but not limited to advocating for improved lighting, signage, and streetscape design, collaborating with Midtown Community Policing on crime prevention and enforcement, safe routes to school, and helping first responders in emergency planning efforts like this. We can do more when we raise our voices together. For more information on how you can help contact safestreets@baysideportland.org