Authorizing the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings examining the rise of paper tags to thwart criminal and safety measures that allow for the safe use of our city streets by all residents.

WHEREAS; The use of Illegal temporary tags, often called paper tags has recently dramatically increased; locally, statewide and nationally; and

WHEREAS; This rise in illegal paper tags has created a range of safety issues in identifying and citing and/or prosecuting those trying to avoid tolls, speeding tickets and to disguise their involvement in more serious criminal activity; and

WHEREAS; This rise in illegal paper tags has created a series of false narratives that have made messaging and managing this growing problem; and

WHEREAS, Reporting from the Philadelphia Inquirer and other outlets has made clear the number of different agencies and actors involved in this issue; and

WHEREAS, The use of illegal temporary tags has made it harder for law enforcement to investigate crime and bring illegal and criminal activity to accountability; and

WHEREAS, a broader view of the problem, that centers on those whose lives have been impacted by the behaviors that these illegal temporary tags have given space to must be created in order to address this growing problem; and

WHEREAS, Council will hear from experts, advocates, victims and stakeholders to surface as many solutions and questions that need answers; now, therefore, be it,

RESOLVED, That City Council authorized the Committee on Streets and Services to hold hearings examining the rise of paper tags to thwart criminal and safety measures that allow for the safe use of our city streets by all residents. The hearing will lay out the false narratives and risks and attempt to bring forward a range of potential solutions to this local and national issue.

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