Baltimore County Building Bridges Bike Ride 2023: Connecting Law Enforcement And Youth

BALTIMORE COUNTY - A local high school resource officer (SRO) will be honored for his commitment to serve beyond his usual duties at the fourth annual Building Bridges Bike Ride on Saturday.

Baltimore County Police Officer Kawahn Young will be celebrated at the event, which began in response to the adverse impact of COVID-19-induced isolation on teenagers' mental and physical health. Young, the 2022-2023 School Resource Officer of the Year for Baltimore County Public Schools, serves at Woodlawn High School.

With a decade of experience in Baltimore City Police Athletic League (PAL) centers before his 11-year tenure with the Baltimore County Police Department, Young has developed a unique understanding of the challenges faced by youth and educators.

According to the Baltimore County Police Department, he maintains an ongoing connection with the Western District, where he initiated Save Our Youth (SOY) Baltimore. His primary motivation behind establishing the organization was cultivating positive relationships between law enforcement and youth.

"I guess it was God's plan for me to carry the torch," Young remarked.

The Building Bridges Bike Ride offers a variety of activities, including a two-mile ride (or walk), a seven-mile ride, a rock climbing wall, face painting, and caricatures. This year's event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to noon at Woodlawn High School.

Admission to the event is free for children and costs $20 for adults aged 18 and over. Tickets can be obtained from the SOY Baltimore website.

The Baltimore County Police Department will oversee traffic safety. For those who do not own bikes, rentals are available, and refurbished sneakers will be provided for those needing athletic shoes, thanks to a school counselor.

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