PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Gun violence in Philadelphia is continuing to decline so far this year, after 2021 saw the highest number of homicides and shootings in the city’s history. The police commissioner credits good detective work and boots on the ground.
Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said fewer kids are being shot.
“This year, we are down 21% in shooting victims who are under the age of 18,” he said.
He said it’s been a slow process, but schools, courts and community groups have helped keep kids safe.
“Within 2 miles of school is where we have a lot of issues with our juveniles, so we have after-school programs and you have activities that you are doing with young people. That is keeping them out of trouble,” he said.
So far this year, middle-aged men have encompassed the largest number of victims. In most instances, the motives are argument-related.
“Forty-seven percent of the individuals who were killed this year have been between the ages of 35 and 64,” Bethel said. “We do see retaliation and beefs between groups. Now I would say that it is down in that area. I think that is attributed to some of the reductions we are seeing.”
More than 115 people have been killed this year. However, Bethel said detectives have solved 94% of homicides and 35% of shootings, helping to keep numbers lower this year compared to the last few.
“To see a 94% — that’s something I have not seen in the history of being in this space,” he said. “We focus our strategy, really focusing on these key areas where we have our highest number of violence.”
Of the 21 police patrol districts, 75% of violence occurs in 10 of them.
The department has also taken more than 2,400 guns off the street — about the same number as this time last year.
“Individuals out there know that if you are involved in a shooting, we are going to be coming after you,” Bethel stressed. “Similar to what we are doing with homicides, so I think that is having a significant impact in reducing the numbers as well.”