PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Philadelphia Police Department is getting help on two fronts to fight violent crime amid a shortage of officers. "Operation Trigger Lock" is aimed at increasing police presence in high-crime areas throughout the city. And the nonprofit Philadelphia Police Foundation is directing $250,000 in funding to several city police resources.
State troopers will work directly with Philadelphia Highway Patrol officers sharing intelligence and resources with a focus on violent crime. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw says a staffing shortage is part of the need for this partnership.
“The simple fact is that personnel are leaving the PPD at a much greater rate than in the past, and we certainly aren't seeing people bringing down our door to come apply,” she said.
During the joint initiative, officials say it will not be uncommon to see both Philly police and state police vehicles with one officer per vehicle answering emergency calls throughout the city during the busy summer months.
The Philadelphia Police Foundation is covering the full cost of mandatory training for forensics examiners to investigate guns used in crimes, a crash data retrieval system for the Accident Investigation Division, and critical technology for the newly formed Non-Fatal Shooting Unit.
Related
With a staffing shortage, Commissioner Outlaw says it is critical to have properly trained officers who have equipment they can count on.
“In order to better our operations and keep our officers and communities safer, we need continual training, we need things that work, and we need enough equipment to make sure that our officers who say good-bye to their families every day before heading out to work, can come home safely."
The Foundation is also funding the launch of a new neighborhood policing initiative, new helmets for highway patrol officers and equipment for SWAT officers, as well as specialized and advanced training for all officers.
Related
“Quite honestly, these resources couldn't have come at a more critical time for our department, and I don't think it's a secret that our staffing numbers are at critical levels,” Outlaw said.
Police are on pace to recover 6,000 guns used in crimes this year.