CHESTER, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Officials in Delaware County are marking two years since they started an anti-violence strategy in the city of Chester, one which they say is bringing positive results.
“We're doing great things here in the city of Chester, so great that other communities are looking at us and saying, ‘How do you do it?’” said Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland.
Kirkland says there’s been a 60% reduction in gun crimes in the city since they started the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods in October 2020.
The city said in January that there was a 38% decrease in overall homicides in 2021 compared to 2020, a 44% decrease in gun homicides and a 34% decrease in overall gunshot victims in that time span.
Kirkland says a key to Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods has been putting aside political differences and cooperating with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, County Council, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, State Police, and federal officials.
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“Those people who are perpetrating these crimes today, they are not just getting away and walking the streets, but our law enforcement personnel collectively are going out and finding those individuals and bringing them to justice,” said Kirkland.
DA Jack Stollsteimer points to a 70% clearance rate of homicide cases over the past year, targeting the small percentage of people who are responsible for the vast majority of violent crimes.
“The message has gone out that we are closing cases,” said Stollsteimer. “If you commit a homicide in the city of Chester, we are going to get you. If you fire a gun at somebody in the city of Chester, we are coming for you.”
Stollsteimer said not only do they have the numbers to show the focus on crime in Chester is working, they’re hearing it in recorded prison phone calls.
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“Law enforcement can listen to people who talk in prison on tapes,” he said. “We have heard members telling their friends back in from prison, telling people back in the community, ‘Stop it. Put down the guns. These guys are serious.'”
Stollsteimer says in addition to enforcement, they are also working to deter people from violent crime, trying to show them they have other options before they pick up the gun.
Delaware County Council has funded services for substance abuse and mental health, as well as educational opportunities.
Chester has used a focused deterrence approach, where police, social services, and community mobilization have helped at-risk individuals understand the criminal justice system and given them the help they may need to stay out of it.
John McDevitt contributed to this report.