CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Shootings and murders are down in the city of Chester. A collaborative effort implementing law enforcement, social services, and community mobilization is being credited for the progress.
"Let me give you some numbers, because the numbers do not lie," said Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland. He said progress is being made in the fight against violent crimes in Chester thanks to partnerships.
According to Kirkland, there has been a 38% decrease in overall homicides in 2021 compared to the previous year, a 44% decrease in gun homicides and a 34% decrease in overall gunshot victims.
This comes after the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods was established about a year ago.
Services for substance abuse and mental health, as well as educational opportunities, have been funded through Delaware County Council, giving the District Attorney's office the resources it needs to work with Chester police, the mayor's office and the state Attorney General's office to impact the community and reduce violent crimes.
"We need to invest more in policing," said Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro. "That is ultimately what is going to make our community safer. We're proud to partner not only here in the city of Chester but in Southwest Philadelphia in Kensington, in McKeesport, or in Wilkes-Barre or other communities where we were able to deploy our limited resources."
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"After decades of under investment in the Chester Community, it was abundantly clear to everyone on council that the public safety needs of this community needed to be addressed," said Delaware County Councilmember Dr. Monica Taylor.
Chester is using the focused deterrence approach. That's a crime prevention strategy implementing law enforcement, social services, and community mobilization to help at-risk individuals understand the criminal justice system and give them the help they may need to stay out of it.
"Nobody is here to spike the football, said Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer. He said the progress is good, but a lot more work still needs to be done.
"Anytime anyone is killed in the city of Chester or anywhere in this county, it's a horrendous tragedy. We want nobody to be killed in the city of Chester, but we are trying every day, all of us together in a collaborative effort, to make sure that we do whatever we can to, one, stop the killing, and two, anyone who doesn't listen to us, to bring them to justice."