WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia suffers from a serious gun violence problem that effects thousands of people each year; and
WHEREAS, Over the last decade, over 18,000 people were shot and over 3,800 people were murdered in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, A recent article in Philadelphia Magazine highlighted that experts suspect thousands of Philadelphia residents who have witnessed or fallen victim to gun violence may suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an anxiety disorder which can afflict individuals who have experienced a traumatic event often involving the threat of injury or death; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with PTSD often experience repeated upsetting memories, nightmares, emotional numbing, detachment, depression, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and hypervigilance; and
WHEREAS, Studies suggest that individuals with PTSD suffer from unemployment and addiction at higher rates than the rest of society; and
WHEREAS, The pervasive violence throughout Philadelphia has created an environment in which tens of thousands of people have fallen victim to or witnessed violent crime and therefore may be suffering from PTSD; and
WHEREAS, Acts of violence effect the individuals directly involved as well as the members of the surrounding community who witness violence on a daily basis; and
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia must find ways to address the pervasive gun violence plaguing Philadelphia neighborhoods because it is exposing large numbers of Philadelphians to the risk factors for PTSD; now therefore,
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Joint Committees on Public Safety and Public Health and Human Services are hereby authorized to hold hearings to examine the effects of gun violence on Philadelphians and the City of Philadelphia's plan to reduce violent crime.
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