View profile

Weekly Brief on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia

Weekly Brief on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia
Each Wednesday morning we share news, research, data, opinions and community responses related to gun violence and prevention in Philadelphia.

"The crisis rages on."
Caught in the crossfire
Caught in the crossfire
• Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier shared during last Thursday’s meeting that she and a fellow gun violence prevention leader had been briefly pinned down by gunfire as they left an event in West Philadelphia a few days earlier.
www.facebook.com  •  Share
Finding help
• The City of Philadelphia introduced a new 2-1-1 hotline to connect people affected by gun violence with groups offering help. Several local journalism projects have been sharing similar resources online since we heard the call to action at our Summit in late 2019. [WHYY/Up the Block/Equally Informed/PCGVR]
On the media
LIGHTS. CAMERA. CRIME. How a Philly-born brand of TV news harmed Black America.
LIGHTS. CAMERA. CRIME. How a Philly-born brand of TV news harmed Black America.
• The Philadelphia Inquirer took a deep dive into the history of local TV news coverage and how “the medium has worked to deepen racial tensions and reinforce racial stereotypes about communities of color.”
www.inquirer.com  •  Share
This Friday
• We are on a pace to have nearly 200 people registered to take part in a panel this Friday on the role of the media, which we have been partnering to help produce. [eventbrite]
Editorial
“City Council, the Black clergy and others must continue to press for a more effective response to the epidemic. We cannot allow gun violence to become normalized in Philadelphia.” – The Philadelphia Tribune
Community feedback
• POWER Interfaith is inviting community groups, key leaders, faith leaders and the community to discuss gun violence prevention during an online town hall tonight. [Facebook Live]
• CBS3 checked in on one of the city’s listening sessions intended to inform the next update to the Roadmap to Safer Communities. [CBS3]
• Several organizations are calling for a citywide “Day of Serenity” on May 7 “to give those who have lost loved ones, their families and neighbors and all traumatized in any way by Philadelphia’s ongoing epidemic of gun violence a day to recharge, hear good news, be with others and seek serenity.” [Heeding God’s Call via @pcgvr]
Peace Through Positive Music
Peace Through Positive Music
• Community groups are using positive music from local artists to help promote peace.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com  •  Share
Forensics
• Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said the city needs a new multi-million dollar forensics crime lab to help thwart gun crimes in Philadelphia. [FOX29]
A sister's view
Losing a sibling to murder is a unique kind of pain
Losing a sibling to murder is a unique kind of pain
• Kimberly Kamara, who writes “A Mother’s View” for the Philadelphia Obituary Project, stepped aside this week and invited her daughter to write about losing her bother to gun violence.
www.phillyobitproject.com  •  Share
• Kimberly also led one of the teams in the first cohort of our Credible Messenger Reporting Project last year. [PCGVR]
By the numbers
Visualization: PCGVR.org
Visualization: PCGVR.org
43: Shooting victims reported to Philadelphia Police during the seven-day period ending Sunday, down slightly from 44 people shot in the city during the previous week.
[Philadelphia Police via Google Drive]
495: Shooting victims recorded this year in Philadelphia through March 28.
[data.phila.gov via PCGVR]
121: Year-to-date total homicides reported to Philadelphia Police through last night.
53: Year-to-date homicides recorded in Philadelphia as of the same date in 2013.
[PhillyPolice.com]
56: Percentage of Temple student survey respondents living in private housing on or near campus who report feeling safe in their area of primary residence.
[Temple Now]
10,000: Annual US gun death milestone surpassed last weekend.
[@GunDeaths]
PA Safety Alliance
Want to learn more about gun violence prevention and how YOU can help? Visit us @https://www.pasafetyalliance.org/ https://t.co/0jQMmebifq
Get briefed
• The next city briefing on gun violence in Philadelphia is scheduled to take place today at 1 p.m. Listen live on WURD Radio 900 AM / 96.1 FM or watch live online. [Facebook]
Opinion
“I am calling for 300 additional on-the-ground beat officers and bike patrol officers … guardians, not warriors … who will serve and protect neighborhoods that are part of our community tapestry.” – Philadelphia City Councilmember Cherelle L. Parker
[The Philadelphia Inquirer]
News from Temple
• Temple University announced responses to the gun violence crisis last week, including security upgrade grants, increased police patrols, a neighborhood watch program and offering to relocate students to campus housing. One day later, the university announced that their longtime public safety director will step down. [Temple Now/Temple Now]
Business security
PHL Department of Commerce
Do you have security cameras for your storefront? If not, learn more about the Business Security Camera Program, which reimburses up to 50% of the cost of camera installation. https://t.co/YwsgCmSPSS
Discussions
• Temple University Hospital Trauma Outreach Manager Scott Charles shares things he has learned from thousands of conversations with gunshot survivors in this conversations with Temple University Criminal Justice Professor Jerry Ratcliffe. [Apple Podcasts]
• You can register to attend a virtual chat session tomorrow with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and former US Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the highest ranking African-American woman in law enforcement to date. [Zoom]
What's constructive possession?
“Sometimes there are four people in a car, nobody owns the car, and the gun is in the trunk under the spare tire. … That presents some difficulties.” – Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
[The Kensington Voice]
National news
Philadelphia police are trying a new strategy to bring down the murder rate
Philadelphia police are trying a new strategy to bring down the murder rate
• Philadelphia last year broke its own records for homicides, so it’s trying a new approach. It’s focusing more on solving non-fatal shootings to try to bring down the murder rate.
www.npr.org  •  Share
Survey
One in five American households purchased a gun during the pandemic
One in five American households purchased a gun during the pandemic
• Pandemic purchases increased the share of U.S. adults living in a household with a gun to 46 percent. During this period, one in 20 adults in America – or five percent – purchased a gun for the first time.
www.norc.org  •  Share
Research
• A pilot study found eight weeks of mindfulness training effective in reducing trauma, depression and stress in individuals grieving from gun violence. [UC San Diego]
In Washington
• Several members Congress from the Philadelphia area are calling on the ATF to explain a sharp decline in inspections and the low number of of revocations and denials of federal firearms licenses. [@RepMGS]
• The White House released a fact sheet Monday titled “Taking on Gun Crime and Violence with a Whole-of-Government Approach.” None of the people on the team is focused on gun violence exclusively. [whitehouse.gov/The Trace]
In memoriam
David Johnson, 40: 'Being a good person cost him his life'
David Johnson, 40: 'Being a good person cost him his life'
• David was a laborer, but his goal was to work for himself. He had a vision for a business where he would paint and do construction so he could provide for his five kids and set a good example for them. 
www.phillyobitproject.com  •  Share
Jasahn Barnes, 30, whose Florida real estate dreams were cut short
Jasahn Barnes, 30, whose Florida real estate dreams were cut short
• Jasahn had an old soul, and he didn’t hold grudges. Even if he was in an argument with someone, he’d still reach out to check in and make sure they’re OK. 
www.phillyobitproject.com  •  Share
Kevin Alvin Jude Carroll identified as homicide victim found shot in 1978
Kevin Alvin Jude Carroll identified as homicide victim found shot in 1978
• Authorities in Delaware County say human remains discovered more than four decades ago have finally been identified.
6abc.com  •  Share
Did you enjoy this issue?
The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

Reporting on gun violence comes with exceptional challenges, responsibilities and opportunities. The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting wants to help.

In order to unsubscribe, click here.
If you were forwarded this newsletter and you like it, you can subscribe here.
Powered by Revue