PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — This weekend on Flashpoint, host Cherri Gregg asks the burning questions about the latest uptick in gun violence in Philadelphia.
During the first 30 days of 2021, the city has seen more than 46 homicides, up nearly 30% over this time last year. Many community and lawmakers are already sounding the alarm.
For the first segment of the show, we discuss community responsibility for curbing the killing. Bilal Qayyum, founder of Father’s Day Rally Committee helped to spearhead a gun buyback that took 224 guns off the streets, thanks to community support from Greenfield Foundation and Brown ShopRite.
But what accountability is there within Black communities for this uptick in shootings? What can neighborhoods do to take back the streets? Terrance Harrell, also known as @NoGunZone on Instagram, discusses his social media advocacy. In recent days, he brought the effort to the streets.
Our newsmaker of the week is Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. In September, the freshman councilmember wrote a letter to the Kenney administration calling for a COVID-19-style citywide, coordinated response to gun violence. Gauthier represents West and Southwest Philadelphia, which has been hit hard by gun violence.
With the help of 14 City Councilmembers, she passed a resolution demanding that the mayor declare gun violence a citywide emergency. She lays out her case for more transparency.
Finally, the Patriot Home Care Changemaker of the week is Vanesse Lloyd Sgambati, founder of the African American Children’s Book Project. The nonprofit will host its 29th Annual African American Children’s Book Fair, bringing diverse children’s book authors to the region. This year, the event will be held virtually on February 6.
Flashpoint airs every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on KYW Newsradio 103.9FM and 1060AM. It also airs at 5 a.m. Sundays on B101FM and WPHT 1210AM, at 6 a.m. on WOGL 98.1 and TDY 96.5 and 6:30a.m. on 94.1 WIP.
Subscribe to the Flashpoint Podcast on the RADIO.COM app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts by searching "Flashpoint."