WHEREAS, Philadelphia is facing an unrelenting crisis of senseless gun violence. In 2021, there were 562 homicides and over 2,000 non-fatal shooting incidents-the deadliest year in City’s history; and
WHEREAS, As of March 28, 2022, Philadelphia has reached over 120 homicides, which is already outpacing the rates of 2021 by 3%; and
WHEREAS, In September of 2020, Philadelphia City Council passed Resolution No. 200436, introduced by Councilmember Jones, that led to the creation of the 100 Shooting Review Committee. A report issued by the Committee found that since 2015, the number of homicides, shooting incidents, violation of Pennsylvania’s Uniform Firearms Act, firearm recoveries and firearms purchases have all increased; and
WHEREAS, The 100 Shooting Review Committee report also found that while firearm related crimes and shootings have increased, that clearance rates in shooting cases remained low. Several solutions were explored within the report, including acquiring better technology and prioritizing City services in crime hotspots; and
WHEREAS, According to a report from the
Philadelphia Inquirer
, the gun violence occurring in the City has been concentrated in just a handful of neighborhoods. Additionally, there are 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015 and those blocks are primarily concentrated in North and West Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Given the undisputable data concerning the concentration of crime in specific neighborhoods, the City should explore the relationship between technological advancements in the solving of crimes; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes the Committee on Public Safety to hold public hearings examining the use of technology to solve shootings in the neighborhoods surrounding the 57 blocks where 10 or more people have been shot since 2015.
End