Working together to build strong families, safe schools, and healthy neighborhoods.
Click to watch Freddy being honored as a Lightning Community Hero.
Congratulations to Executive Director Freddy Barton for being honored with the Lightning Community Hero Award. Thanks to a generous grant from the Tampa Bay Lightning as part of their Community Heroes program, Safe & Sound Hillsborough was able to purchase 2 vans and provide insurance to assist in the transportation needs of its Reporting Center and other programs.
“Blink” – A Gun Violence Prevention Short Film
According to the Tampa Police Department, in 2022, there were 170 non-fatal and 39 fatal shootings in the city of Tampa and according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office , there were an additional 70 non-fatal and 34 fatal shootings in unincorporated Hillsborough County, outside of the city of Tampa. Combined, these numbers nearly doubled from the previous year’s totals.
This film tackles the devastating and critical issue of gun violence in our communities, the choices made by our youth to pick up firearms and the consequences thereof. Imagine if a different path is chosen. What would it take? Who can help? And where do we begin? These are the questions that will be in the minds of viewers as the film concludes. From parents, other family members, teachers, friends, faith leaders, neighbors, public officials and to our youth themselves, we all have a role to play in preventing one more life from being lost to senseless gun violence. Watch the Film
Anti-violence program encourages young people to consider consequences
Safe and Sound, a violence prevention collaborative in Hillsborough County, Fla., recently launched a yearlong program aimed at young people to prevent community violence. Read full County News article – pg4
Teen charged in shooting of unmarked patrol car
“Freddy Barton, executive director of Safe and Sound Hillsborough, said young people getting involved in gun violence is a growing concern. As a father of two, Barton said he’s concerned about their safety and welfare which is why he works with youth in Hillsborough County.” Watch Video Bay News 9
2022 Julianne M. Holt Service Excellence Award Recipient
Congratulations to Safe & Sound Hillsborough’s Executive Director Freddy Barton for being honored today by the Juvenile Justice Board, Circuit Thirteen as the 2022 recipient of the Julianne M. Holt Service Excellence Award. Learn More
Safe & Sound Hillsborough is thrilled to continue our partner alongside the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 2022-2023 Youth Leadership Program with students from Young Middle Magnet School. This year’s theme is CONNECTION and addresses 5 components: Self-Awareness, Responsible Decision-Making, Self-Management, Relationship Skills and Social Awareness . Learn More
A mission to curb violence in Hillsborough
Freddy Barton is the executive director of Safe & Sound Hillsborough, a violence prevention collaborative that puts communities first. Read Full Tampa Bay Times Article
Teen Consequences of Choices Program
Safe & Sound Hillsborough partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Corrections Transition Program to provide an innovative, fun, and interactive workshop entitled “Consequences of Choices”, serving over 100 teens this summer. Learn More
Become a Mental Health First Aider
Safe & Sound Hillsborough now offers free in-person and virtual Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a public education program that helps individuals across the country to understand mental illnesses, support timely intervention and save lives. Learn More
