Gun violence and public safety are the number one concerns of Philadelphians. This report highlights the intervention strategies we supported in Northwest Philadelphia. These interventions significantly decreased shooting incidents and fatalities in summer 2023 compared to summer 2022.

This report demonstrates the importance of multi-faceted approaches, community engagement, and targeted proven interventions to prevent further loss of life and improve the safety of residents.

Overview of Gun Violence:

Historic shooting deaths occurred in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Two areas in Northwest Philadelphia are amongst the highest for shootings in Philadelphia. The 5000 and 5100 blocks of Germantown Avenue and at Chew and Chelten Avenue are in the top 60 blocks for shootings in Philadelphia. These blocks are also in high poverty neighborhoods.

These numbers reflect the participation at Northwest recreation centers, which are part of the free summer reading camp initiative. The program offers reading instruction four days a week for 90 minutes each day over a six-week period in July and early August. This approach aims to help students in grades K – 3 maintain and improve their reading skills during the summer break.

Data Overview:

Summer 2022: In the summer of 2022, the Northwest had 43 shooting incidents and 9 shooting fatalities. Fear and hopelessness dominated neighbors.

Summer 2023: In the summer of 2023, the trend declined significantly with 23 shooting incidents and 7 shooting fatalities. Our efforts can help restore hope and safety.

The Northwest zip codes in this report are 19118, 19119, 19126, 19138, 19144 and 19150. Data is taken from the Office of the Phila. City Controller.

Our Solution: Intervention & Saturation

Several gun violence prevention organizations coalesced under the Stronger Together Coalition led by Philadelphia Ceasefire. The peace plan focused on saturating the high crime areas with proven interventions.

Interventions:

Philadelphia Ceasefire Street Teams: Philadelphia Ceasefire has played a crucial role in violence prevention by deploying street teams to engage with individuals at the highest risk of gun violence. These teams work to mediate conflicts, offer support, and connect individuals with resources to break the cycle of violence.

P3 Street Teams in 19144: The P3 a new street outreach program in 19144 called Pushing Progress Philly (P3). It is an adaptation of Chicago’s successful READI program. Under P3, outreach workers will be offering high-risk individuals a combination of career opportunities and cognitive behavioral therapy. A phased rollout begun this summer, with a soft launch involving general community outreach. It will then progress to targeted outreach.

Job Fairs: Organizing job fairs and employment opportunities within the community has been a proactive approach to addressing economic disparities and reducing the appeal of illicit activities for some individuals. In partnership with PA CareerLink, Sen. Haywood’s office has hosted monthly job fairs since 2022.

Mobile Office Hours of Haywood Office: The Haywood Office, serving as a community resource center, has implemented mobile office hours to make services more accessible to residents. This initiative provides support related to housing, mental health, substance abuse treatment, and other critical needs.

Cops on Dots: The Philadelphia Police Department has deployed police in cars in the highest crime areas. Police cars have been deployed near Wister and Germantown and Chew and Chelten

Saturation

The interventions in the high crime areas were in part coordinated by my office. This graphic shows where we focused the interventions.

Community Engagement:

Community Forums: Community meetings and prayer walks were held to allow residents to voice their concerns, share insights, and provide input on strategies for violence prevention.

Youth Engagement: The Lonnie Young summer basketball league attracted hundreds of young men. League games were held every Wednesday during July and August at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center. Youth-oriented engages young residents to provides them with alternatives to violence.

Conclusion:

Continuing the decline in gun violence in Northwest Philadelphia, particularly in the 19138 and 19144 zip codes, demands a collaborative effort involving community organizations, law enforcement, and local government. The interventions mentioned in this report are essential steps in the right direction. Sustained commitment, increased resources, and ongoing community engagement are necessary to create a safer and more secure environment for all residents. By working together, we can prevent further tragedies.