About Our Ambassadors
The DowntownDC BID’s corps of Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) workers, known as SAM Ambassadors, is the most visible face of the organization and delivers a high level of service that property owners, commercial tenants, residents and visitors have come to expect. As the eyes, ears and caretakers of Downtown, the men and women who wear the red, white and black Ambassador uniform are roving concierges, law enforcement aides and goodwill ambassadors. They create a safe and welcoming environment seven days a week, 362 days a year, and ensure that the Downtown experience is a remarkable one for all.
Ambassador Services
The SAM Ambassador Program was established upon the foundational principle of “clean, safe and friendly.” Thus, Safety/Hospitality Ambassadors offer directions to visitors and patrons of downtown; report emergencies situations to proper authorities; accompany workers after hours to garages or public transportation; engage the homeless; and report defects in the public realm. Maintenance Ambassadors remove litter, trash, recycling, posters and graffiti from Downtown streets, and also perform landscaping needs, paint, hang banners, power wash and other public space needs. All ambassadors are trained to use comprehensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
In addition to performing their daily duties, SAMs often specialize in offering extended services which include, a Homeless Outreach Service Team (HOST), a Quality Assurance Team, holding Lobby Information/Safety Fairs, supervising community service for D.C. Superior Court misdemeanor offenders and supervising D.C. summer youth staff.
Testimonials
The DowntownDC BID often receives words of praise from visitors, workers and residents touched in some way by the help and reassuring presence that our SAMs provide on Downtown streets. Satisfied customers’ offered the following remarks lauding the good deeds of individual SAMs and the SAM Program:
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I had the pleasure of meeting Robert T. while visiting Washington, D.C. It was about 3:30 or so in the afternoon and I had just finished my tour of the city. I realized that I could not remember where I parked my car. I spent about 30 minutes looking myself and had started to panic…. He spent at least 20-30 minutes helping me find my car. He went above and beyond and was like an angel that came to my rescue…. I wish I could repay him for his help but most importantly I want his supervisor to know that Downtown DC has one incredibly sweet, courteous professional employee that went above and beyond… I will never forget his smiling face.
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– Tabitha Scott
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I just wanted to recognize Jeremiah whom we met on October 7th at Federal Triangle Metro… he got us to the correct Mero to get us to our next location and told us about the Circulator bus. What a bargain and also savings on the feet. When we got back to Federal Triangle, Jeremiah was still there providing assistance, cheerfully. You have a true asset in Jeremiah and I just wanted to let you know it.
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– Annette Dirks