PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Kensington Revitalization program is entering its second year, and at a press conference Monday, public safety officials said it’s showing progress.
Officials said that homicides in Kensington are down 45% from last year at this time, shootings are down 44%, and overall violent crime is down 17%. While crime has been dropping nationally, officials pointed to efforts they believe contributed to the decrease in Kensington.
Deputy Police Commissioner Pedro Rosario, who oversees the enforcement element of the plan, noted 2,400 arrests and the seizure of millions of dollars of fentanyl. He says an infusion of new officers allowed foot patrols 365 days a year.
“Understanding that foot beats, meeting, speaking with business owners, speaking with community residents, was one of our best assets in really trying to address the problems that were plaguing this area,” Rosario said.
Public Safety Director Adam Geer also credited programs like Crisis Intervention, which made 1,500 home visits in response to shootings.
“They talk to folks, they get them to stop shooting or not to retaliate or to seek help and there’s no doubt that that had an impact on those violence reduction numbers,” Greer said.
Commissioner Kevin Bethel said progress does not mean the problem is solved but shows the work is having an impact.
“We are in here for the long haul, we are not going anywhere, we are fully committed,” he said.
More efforts are coming online, and police are planning to deploy drones to get a handle on potential crises when officers are still en route, which they believe will be a game changer.