Honoring and recognizing the 18th Police District Tactical Squad for its valiant efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in West Philadelphia.

WHEREAS, Police District Tactical Squads proactively target specific community issues whether they be violent, property, or quality of life crimes; and

WHEREAS, P/O Kevin Tilghman, P/O Kevin Semonelle, P/O Peter Sztenderowicz, P/O George Tsoflias, P/O Kevin Krowicki, P/O Joseph McCarthy, P/O Aaron Turner, P/O Eric Schroder, P/O Brandon Sweeney, P/O Zachary DePerro, P/O Jeffrey Bascomb, and P/O Jessie West serve on the 18th District Tactical Squad, which covers Cobbs Creek and University City; and

WHEREAS, In 2022, the 18th District Tactical Squad made a record high number of firearms arrests during a time when Philadelphia saw a record high in gun violence. This same year, the 18th District had a 16% reduction in shooting victims

; and

WHEREAS,

In 2022 and 2023, the 12 officers, just ten percent of the District staffing level, made nearly 70% of the firearm arrests in the 18th District; and

WHEREAS, In total, the officers completed 287 arrests for Part 1 offenses (murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, etc.), 152 Part 2 Offenses (simple assault, curfew offenses and loitering, embezzlement, disorderly conduct, etc.), and 256 firearm offenses (Violations of the Uniform Firearm Act (VUFA)); and

WHEREAS, On 1/25/2022 at 9:15pm, P/O Turner and P/O Schroder initiated a vehicle stop at 5300 Baltimore Avenue. During which, P/O Turner was dragged for multiple city blocks by the operator of the vehicle. Both officers were eventually able to effect the arrest without further incident. The male was charged with VUFA, Narcotics, Aggravated Assault on Police, Kidnapping, and related offenses; and

WHEREAS, On 11/16/2022 at 8:36pm, P/O Sweeney and P/O DePerro responded to a report of a shooting at 5400 Market Street. The officers located the shooter with a firearm and arrested him without further incident. In addition to this arrest for VUFA and Aggravated Assault, the shooter was charged with an unrelated Homicide that occurred 15 minutes before at 5400 Wyalusing Avenue in the 19th District; and

WHEREAS, On 6/10/2023 at 12:36pm, P/O Krowicki and P/O McCarthy were on patrol at Cobbs Creek Parkway and Spruce Street when they observed a male wanted for a shooting that occurred 2 weeks prior at 6000 Pine Street in the 18th District. In addition, this male was a person of interest in a shooting that occurred on 5/5/2023 in the 16th District at 11 North 51st Street. Subsequently, the male was identified in both shootings and charged with Aggravated Assault, VUFA, and related offenses; and

WHEREAS, On 8/27/2023, at 5:16pm, P/O McCarthy and P/O Krowicki initiated a vehicle stop for traffic violations at 5900 Sansom Street. The operators attempted to flee from the officers on foot but were apprehended without further incident and charged with VUFA and related offenses. Subsequently, the defendant was identified and wanted for prior a Homicide that occurred in the 16th district; and

WHEREAS, These notable arrests illustrate the passion of the 18th District Tactical Squad to remove violent offenders from the community and improve public safety for the residents of West Philadelphia.; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors and recognizes the 18th Police District Tactical Squad for its valiant efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in West Philadelphia.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the Commanding Officer, Captain Daniel W. Ginion, Jr. in recognition of this occasion, further evidencing the sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.

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