PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel is cautiously optimistic as crime trends down across the city. So far this year, crime has drastically dropped — with the biggest drop in homicides and shootings since the pandemic's all-time highs.
Shootings are down 40% and homicides are down about 38%.
"Our rapes are down significantly. Our robberies are down significantly. Our auto thefts are down almost 37%," Bethel said.
He credits some of the initiatives that were implemented under former interim commissioner and now Deputy Commissioner John Stanford, such as increased patrols in violent areas like the 22nd District, which makes up the core of North Philadelphia.
He said there has been a significant level of crime reduction in that area: 64% down in violent crime and 40% down in shootings.
"We are happy with the direction we are going, but it is very, very early in the process," Bethel noted. "We are only six months [in]. The summer has not started yet. We still have a long way to go in turning the tide."
The warmer months historically bring more gun violence. The police department is working on more strategies, but for now, officials are concentrating on violence that typically trends higher.
"You will start to see some additional foot beats," Bethel added. "We have an academy class graduating very shortly and so we're going to continue to press."
