She also talked about the city Community Crisis Response Programwho places violence switches on the street to deter crime, and Intervention in case of group violence — a law enforcement program with a “broad social services footprint”.
But activists had their own demands for the city.
Yullio Robbins, whose son was murdered six years agosaid there had to be a way to reach young people who are currently not connected to any social support.
“We have so many programs going on, but half of them don’t even work,” she said. “Once the kids get used to the streets, that’s what they want. They want the streets, they want the fast guns, they want the fast cars. »
Other ideas included stronger community supervision programs, better relations with police, and additional victim services.
Sister Taleah Taylor with the Dreaming City Coalition called for more transitional housing for young victims of violence
“Because a lot of these kids as they get older, we find them on the streets,” she said. “So they do everything to survive.”
Brendan O’Malley, Deputy Chief Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, spoke about the origins of firearms in the state. He noted that many phantom guns, or privately assembled and untraceable guns, come from large-scale gun shows that currently do not require background checks.
SEPTA Police Chief Tom Nestel announced that the agency will allocate funds for new outreach workers, with the goal of connecting homeless people and people with mental illness to needed services.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to accurately reflect Brendan O’Malley’s comments on gun sales.
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If you or someone you know has been affected by gun violence in Philadelphia, you can find bereavement support and resources here.
