PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — On the latest episode of Flashpoint, host Cherri Gregg takes a deep dive into efforts to quell the raging gun violence in Philadelphia.
Last week, federal law enforcement agencies held a press conference declaring there will be more federal prosecution of gun cases, and more FBI and ATL involvement in Philadelphia in an effort to stop the killing.
Then on Friday, a coalition of more than 40 anti-violence and violence intervention groups demanded that the Philadelphia mayor and City Council invest $100 million dollars from this year’s budget into programs that interrupt gun violence.
Black males represent 85% of the city's homicides, which are on track to break records in 2021. A group of Black male teens explain what it's like to be both victim and perpetrator. Then, Greg Thompson, director of Don't Fall Down in the Hood, a program run by the Institute for the Development of African American Youth, speaks out about how the $100 million dollars could save Black lives.
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The newsmaker of the week is Keir Bradford-Grey. A regular on the show, she is currently chief of the Defender Association of Philadelphia. She recently announced that she would resign from the post, effective April 15. During her six-year tenure, Bradford-Grey transformed the reputation of public defenders in the city of Philadelphia.
She also implemented a number of reforms that keep the most vulnerable out of the criminal justice system. She reflects on her work, discusses lessons learned and what she’ll do next.
The Patriot Home Care Changemaker of the week is Victim Services Center of Montgomery County. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the organization is hosting a series of virtual events to reach survivors during the pandemic. Jessica Carson, education services coordinator, joins us.
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 Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get podcasts by searching "Flashpoint."