WHEREAS, It is well known that people are more at risk of engaging in criminal activity or become victims of crime when there are issues of poverty, inadequate living conditions, discrimination, joblessness, dysfunction in the family and substance abuse; and
WHEREAS, It is an accepted view that comprehensive and coordinated initiatives improve the quality of life by enhancing the dissemination of information between and among city agencies and the citizenry of our city; and
WHEREAS, Organizations like the Police Athletic League, Townwatch Integrated Services, Mothers In Charge, Black Men United, United Black Captains, special service districts, faith-based agencies and churches, among the myriad of other similar organizations, join forces with the city’s Police Department, the Philadelphia Housing Authority Police force, the Philadelphia School District Police force, and other law enforcement agencies, like the Guardian Civic League, the National Organization of Blacks in Law Enforcement and Sentinels of Blacks in Law Enforcement to prevent crime and assist neighborhoods to deal with the effect of crime; and
WHEREAS, This Council recognizes that a collaboration of criminal justice agencies, community and faith-based groups, and other organizations covers a variety of programs. The immediate objectives range from preventing violent crime to treating victims of crime; and
WHEREAS, The long-range goal is to institutionalize a permanent partnership among government, law enforcement and the public to successfully manage future community safety problems. Citizen consent, support and cooperation are key components; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee of the Whole is hereby authorized to conduct hearings to create an umbrella organization call CAP (Coordinated Approach Program) to handle criminal activity in our city.
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