Calling for the creation of the Community-Temple Safety Partnership Zone and a Response Resource Task Force, as recommended in 21CP Solutions' audit entitled "Recommendations for Community Safety at Temple University and the Temple University Police Department", which would collaborate with the City of Philadelphia and neighborhood stakeholders to work toward safer neighborhoods for Temple University and all surrounding communities.

WHEREAS, The neighborhoods surrounding Temple University has seen an increase in acts of violence; and

WHEREAS, Temple University must partner with the city of Philadelphia and community stakeholders to address quality-of-life issues experienced in these neighborhoods; and

WHEREAS, 21CP Solutions, led by former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey, was commissioned by Temple University to audit and identify public safety best practices and areas for improvement; and

WHEREAS, In March 2023, 21CP Solutions released its report entitled “Recommendations for Community Safety at Temple University and the Temple University Police Department”; and

WHEREAS, This report recommends the creation of a Community-Temple Safety Partnership Zone “with the purpose of making the North Philadelphia area within the Zone a safer, better place to live, work, and thrive”; and

WHEREAS, This partnership must be comprised of community residents, local elected officials, members representing Temple University, City entities, institutional stakeholders like non-profits, and businesses that work together to address public safety in North Philadelphia; and

WHEREAS, This report also recommends establishing a Response Resource Task Force, which should be comprised of community stakeholders, local elected officials, “representatives of the University, the City, the Philadelphia Police Department, DA’s office, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies”; and

WHEREAS, This Safety Partnership Zone and Task Force will collaborate with city representatives and neighborhood stakeholders and work towards improving safety and address underlying factors that contribute to the violence in the communities surrounding Temple; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Council calls for the creation of the Community-Temple Safety Partnership Zone and a Response Resource Task Force as recommended in 21CP Solutions’ audit which would collaborate with the City of Philadelphia and neighborhood stakeholders to work towards safer neighborhoods for Temple University and all surrounding communities.

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