WHEREAS, Sonja Bingham is an anti-drug and anti-violence advocate residing in the Harrowgate section of Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Bingham’s neighborhood has been plagued by the proliferation of crime and open-air drug dealing; and
WHEREAS, As a community block captain, Bingham has openly opposed and confronted suspected drug dealers operating on her street; and
WHEREAS, On Wednesday, September 22, Bingham’s home was the target of a firebomb attack; and
WHEREAS, The arsonist was seen on camera fleeing the scene of what Bingham and local police believe was a retaliatory attack for her outspoken interference in the local drug trade; and
WHEREAS, Bingham was left shaken but undeterred, telling the local press, “They don’t want the neighborhood to be wonderful and to become a place of pride for the residents. But we’re not gonna stop”; and
WHEREAS, We must send a clear message that drug dealers will not overtake our streets, and that residents like Sonja Bingham who stand up for their community will have the full support of local law enforcement and City leaders alike; and
WHEREAS, The arsonist and any co-conspirators must be brought to justice; the City should extend a reward of at least $20,000 for information leading to their arrest; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it herby calls on the City of Philadelphia to issue a reward for information leading to an arrest in the arson case which victimized Sonja Bingham, an outspoken anti-drug and anti-violence block captain in the Harrowgate section of Northeast Philadelphia.
End