Baltimore's Squeegee Squad: Who They Are and How the Program Works

What the Squeegee Squad is

The Squeegee Squad is a workforce development program run by Baltimore's Safe Streets initiative that hires young people—mostly from West Baltimore neighborhoods—to clean car windows at busy intersections. Participants, called squeegee workers, stand at traffic lights with squeegees and cleaning solution, offering to wash windshields for tips. The program pays workers an hourly wage while they're on the job, and it's designed as a path away from street-based informal economy work and toward stable employment.

The program operates in specific zones across Baltimore, primarily in neighborhoods like Sandtown-Winchester, Gwynn Oak, and along major corridors. Workers are assigned to shifts at designated intersections during peak traffic times, usually mornings and afternoons on weekdays. The work is seasonal and weather-dependent, so hours fluctuate throughout the year.

Key Takeaways

• The Squeegee Squad hires young people from Baltimore neighborhoods to wash car windows at traffic lights for tips, while receiving an hourly wage from the program.
• Participants work assigned shifts at specific intersections during peak traffic times, with hours that vary by season and weather conditions.
• The program is part of Safe Streets, a violence interruption and workforce development initiative funded through Baltimore's city budget and community partnerships.
• Young people interested in joining must meet age requirements and live in or have strong ties to participating neighborhoods.
• The Squeegee Squad serves as a stepping stone to longer-term employment, with case managers helping workers transition to other jobs or training programs.

How workers get hired and what the job involves

Recruitment for the Squeegee Squad happens through community outreach, word of mouth, and partnerships with local organizations. Young people interested in the work contact Safe Streets directly or are referred through neighborhood centers and youth programs. There's no formal written application process; instead, interested workers meet with program staff to discuss the opportunity and confirm they meet basic requirements.

Once hired, workers receive training on customer service, safety at intersections, and how to handle the squeegee and cleaning solution. They're assigned to a specific intersection or zone and given a work schedule, usually in two- to four-hour shifts. A typical shift involves approaching stopped cars at red lights, offering to clean windshields, and collecting tips from drivers who accept the service. Workers keep their tips and receive their hourly wage separately through the program.

Safety is a priority: workers wear visible vests, follow traffic rules strictly, and are instructed never to approach a car whose driver signals no interest. Program staff monitor intersections regularly and provide support if conflicts arise with drivers or other street workers.

Pay, hours, and what happens after

The hourly wage varies depending on program funding and city budget allocations, but workers typically earn minimum wage or slightly above. Hours are not may provide year-round; the program operates most actively during warmer months when traffic is heavier and weather permits window washing. Winter months may offer reduced hours or temporary closures.

The Squeegee Squad is intentionally designed as a temporary position, not a permanent job. Each worker is assigned a case manager who helps them plan next steps—whether that's enrolling in job training, pursuing a GED, connecting with apprenticeships, or moving into other employment. The program tracks how many workers transition to other jobs or educational programs, treating those transitions as success metrics.

Workers who perform well and show up consistently may be offered opportunities to move into other Safe Streets roles, such as community outreach or conflict mediation positions, which typically offer more stable hours and higher pay.

Safe Streets and the broader context

The Squeegee Squad sits within Baltimore's larger Safe Streets program, which focuses on violence interruption and community healing in neighborhoods with high rates of gun violence. Safe Streets hires "credible messengers"—people with lived experience in those communities—to interrupt conflicts before they escalate and to connect young people to resources.

The squeegee work serves multiple purposes within this framework: it provides immediate income to young people who might otherwise turn to illegal street economies, it builds work habits and customer service skills, and it keeps participants visible and connected to program staff who can offer support. The visibility also changes how neighborhoods perceive young people in those areas—from a public safety concern to workers contributing to their community.

Funding for Safe Streets comes from Baltimore's city budget, state grants, and private foundations focused on violence prevention and workforce development. The program has operated for over a decade and has expanded and contracted based on available funding.

Where squeegee workers operate

Squeegee workers are stationed at high-traffic intersections in specific Baltimore neighborhoods. Common locations include intersections along major roads in West Baltimore, near commercial districts, and at entry points to downtown. The exact intersections change seasonally and based on program capacity and community feedback.

The program avoids placing workers in locations where they would conflict with existing informal economy workers or where traffic patterns make the work unsafe. Program staff scout intersections for visibility, traffic volume, and safety before assigning workers there.

Challenges and community response

The Squeegee Squad has generated mixed reactions. Some drivers appreciate the service and tip generously; others view unsolicited window washing as aggressive or unwanted. Some business owners and residents have expressed concerns about the visibility of young people at intersections, though program data and community feedback show that most interactions are positive and that the program reduces street-based conflict in participating areas.

Weather is a constant challenge: rain, snow, and extreme heat all limit when workers can safely operate. Seasonal income fluctuations mean workers must plan carefully or supplement with other income during slow months. Transportation to assigned intersections can also be a barrier for workers without reliable access to buses or rides.

How to find out more or support the program

Information about the Squeegee Squad and Safe Streets is available through Baltimore's Department of Planning, the Safe Streets website, and community centers in participating neighborhoods. Young people interested in joining can contact their local Safe Streets office or ask at neighborhood youth programs for referrals.

Community members who want to support the program can learn about Safe Streets' work through their annual reports and community events. Some organizations partner with Safe Streets to provide additional services—job training, mental health support, or educational programs—to squeegee workers and other program participants.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do squeegee workers have to give all their tips to the program?

No. Workers keep all tips they receive from drivers. The program provides an hourly wage separately, so tips are additional income that belongs entirely to the worker. This structure lets workers build earnings quickly while they're learning job skills.

What age do you have to be to work as a squeegee?

The program typically hires young people between 16 and 24, though exact age requirements may vary by year and funding. Younger participants may have restrictions on hours or types of shifts. Contact your local Safe Streets office for current age requirements.

Can squeegee workers work year-round?

The program operates most actively during warmer months when weather permits window washing and traffic is heavier. Winter hours are typically reduced or suspended. Workers are encouraged to plan for seasonal income changes or transition to other employment during slower months.

Is this the same as the squeegee situation that made news in other cities?

Baltimore's Squeegee Squad is a structured, wage-paying workforce program run by Safe Streets with case management and transition planning. It's different from informal squeegee work in other cities, which typically involves unaffiliated individuals working without program support or may provide pay. Baltimore's model aims to formalize and support the work rather than criminalize it.

What happens if a squeegee worker gets injured on the job?

Workers are covered under the program's safety protocols and insurance. Program staff provide training on safe practices at intersections, and supervisors monitor work sites regularly. If an injury occurs, workers should report it immediately to their supervisor or case manager, who will connect them with appropriate medical care and workers' compensation information.