A break-in and theft at Baltimore Safe Haven’s harm reduction center in Station North led to a surge of community support last week.
Baltimore Safe Haven shared surveillance camera footage on social media last week showing an individual dragging a cart full of supplies from the rear parking area of the drop-off center on Sept. 27.
The nonprofit said on Instagram that the estimated cost of damages, theft and vandalization exceeds $50,000. These include the theft of AED machines, syringes, office equipment including computers and printers, fentanyl testing strips, and more. Renee Lau, assistant administrator and special projects for the organization, was the one to discover the aftermath of the break-in.
“Our entire team was not happy. This cost wages, events,” she said. The damages included urine on the floor, and transphobic slurs and paint on the walls. Baltimore Safe Haven canceled two events the weekend of Oct. 4 to clean the center.
With this being the third break-in in the past three years, Lau said morale was low. But at a clean-up event on Oct 1, more than 25 volunteers showed up to help repair the damages done to the drop-in center.
“The community support had me in tears,” said Lau. “We were pretty elated.”
Throughout the day, volunteers picked up trash and damaged equipment, painted over the vandalism, and redesigned the drop-in center. A GoFundMe page organized by Director of Operations Ja’Nae Tyler has reached the goal amount of $10,000 in donations. All of the donations will go towards replacing the stolen AEDs and office equipment, enhancing security measures, and replacing harm reduction supplies, Lau said.
In a statement to Baltimore Beat, the Maryland Commission on LGBTQIA+ Affairs condemned the vandalism at Baltimore Safe Haven.
“Baltimore Safe Haven has been a beacon of hope for some of our most vulnerable community members. We stand in solidarity with its leadership and support a thorough investigation to hold those who are responsible accountable,” Jeremy Browning, administrative director for the commission on LGBTQIA+ affairs, said in an email.
Baltimore Safe Haven was founded in 2018 by Iya Dammons, a Black trans woman who saw the need for more resources and support for transgender Baltimoreans to “thrive and overcome the challenges they faced.” Baltimore Safe Haven provides housing support for trans people facing homelessness, mental health support, advocacy, community building, safe sex kits, clean needles and showers, and more.
Dammons said on the GoFundMe page that while she was hurt by the break-in and vandalism, Baltimore Safe Haven will “not be deterred by discrimination, hatred, or attacks.” .
“Our resilience and strength lie within our community,” Dammons said. “Our commitment to healing and supporting each other remains unwavering.”
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