Authorizing the joint City Council Committees on Public Safety and the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention to hold public hearings examining the Administration's anticipated reports on community based gun violence prevention programs and a comprehensive violence prevention strategy, in light of the escalating acts of gun violence in the City of Philadelphia, and to ensure that the City's public safety budget reflects the priorities of these plans.

WHEREAS, As of December 9, 2018, there have been 325 homicides in Philadelphia, representing a 10% increase in homicides from 2017 thus far. A majority of these homicides were a result of the escalating gun violence occurring throughout neighborhoods in Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, On September 27, 2018, Mayor Kenney issued a Call to Action on Violence Prevention, requesting his Cabinet and senior leadership to develop a comprehensive violence prevention strategy, within 100 days, for how to dramatically reduce the killings and shootings in Philadelphia. This plan is due to the Mayor in early January; and

WHEREAS, The plan will examine how broadening access to opportunities, such as job creation and increased social services, can have an impact on reducing violence. The plan will represent a coordinated effort with the Office of Violence Prevention, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Department of Public Health, the Department of Human Services, and other relevant City departments and agencies; and

WHEREAS, In addition to the comprehensive violence prevention strategy, the Managing Director’s Office of Criminal Justice and Public Safety will also release a report on community based violence prevention programs funded by the City; and

WHEREAS; It is the role of Philadelphia City Government to keep residents safe, and as such, these reports should be examined by the members of the Public Safety Committee to ensure that the plans set forth include adequate solutions to address the City’s rising violence statistics, and assure that Council is dedicated to appropriating the funding required to do so

;

now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the City Council Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the Administration’s anticipated reports on community based gun violence prevention programs and a comprehensive violence prevention strategy, in light of the escalating acts of gun violence in the City of Philadelphia, and to ensure that the City’s public safety budget reflects the priorities of these plans.

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