WHEREAS, Gun violence is a longstanding and devastating problem in Philadelphia and throughout the nation. In 2024, as of October 14th, the city has seen 183 fatal shootings and 700 nonfatal shootings; and
WHEREAS, The cost of each hospitalization for a shooting incurs nearly a half-million dollars in direct costs and the cost of each murder is nearly six million dollars in negative economic impact; and
WHEREAS, Public safety is the foundation for all social goods, from health to education to community cohesion and beyond; and
WHEREAS, Since 2021 there has been a notable decrease in shooting deaths in Philadelphia, demonstrating the effectiveness of our collective efforts, advocacy, and the dedication of community stakeholders, including law enforcement, policymakers, and organizations working toward reducing gun violence; and
WHEREAS, To sustain this momentum, it is essential to continually evaluate and strengthen the resources, policies, and practices that have driven this progress, identifying best practices and making data-driven adjustments to ensure the continued safety and well-being of our communities;
and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia must continue to strengthen, enhance, and effectively implement a comprehensive strategy for the prevention of gun violence, building on current efforts to adapt and refine our approaches in response to evolving challenges; and
WHEREAS, Coordination and planning are proven to enhance cities’ success in addressing core social problems, including gun violence and significant advances in gun violence prevention have resulted from sustained collaboration and strategic investment by stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental, across sectors including law enforcement, public health, education, social services, advocacy, and community organizing; and
WHEREAS, All Philadelphians deserve to live their lives free of gun violence and the fear thereof; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council hereby authorizes the creation of a “Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention,” consisting of members appointed by the Council President, to address the crucial issue of gun violence in Philadelphia by facilitating coordination among stakeholders and formulating a comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That in furtherance of these goals, the Special Committee’s duties shall include, but not be confined to: holding public hearings and convening regular meetings for planning; examining the efficacy of current programs and policies, identifying local and national best practices, engaging community leaders; increasing capacity for data collection and analysis; developing metrics to measure progress toward strategic goals; reviewing allocation of City resources to ensure optimization of results; and soliciting public input.
End