PASSED

The enacted ordinance prohibits people from intimidating or attempting to intimidate crime victims and witnesses in ways that interfere with reporting crimes, providing information, or participating in criminal proceedings. Violations are subject to fines, and those fines are designated for a special account to support witness relocation assistance through the District Attorney’s Office; the account provision takes effect after approval of a required Home Rule Charter amendment.

Amending Title 10 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "Regulation of Individual Conduct and Activity," by adding provisions prohibiting the intimidation of witnesses and victims of crimes, providing fines for violations, and requiring that all such fines be paid into a special fund to be used for witness relocation assistance, all under certain terms and conditions.