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Weekly Brief on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia

Weekly Brief on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia
Each week we share news from the our Center plus updates on gun violence and prevention in Philadelphia from our partners at Billy Penn

Credible Messengers Report
Not Giving Up: B. McFly interviews Suleiman Hassan of Soldiers for Recovery
• Brandon Chastang, better know as B. McFly, interviews Suleiman Hassan of Soldiers for Recovery in this first video from a series he recently produced for our Credible Messenger Reporting Project. They discuss intersections between addiction, mental health, trauma and violence plus their views on solutions and some upcoming efforts. WHYY gun violence prevention reporter Sammy Caiola was the professional partner on this project and Chris Mansfield was the Credible Messenger video producer. Visit our web site to catch more reports from this series soon.
Apply now: The Credible Messenger Reporting Project
Apply now: The Credible Messenger Reporting Project
• The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting provides funding to people impacted by gun violence in our city and for professional journalists to collaborate and report together on root causes, lived experience and possible solutions from the community perspective. Apply now.
www.pcgvr.org  •  Share
Weekly Brief from Billy Penn
By the numbers
55: People shot in Philadelphia during the seven-day period ending Sunday night, according to the weekly major crimes report published Monday by Philadelphia Police. The previous week’s total was revised up from 34 to 59 shooting victims.
[Philadelphia Police via Google Drive]
1,046: Total shooting victims recorded this year in Philadelphia as of Tuesday, including 231 fatalities.
[Open Data Philly via PCGVR]
257: Year-to-date total homicides reported to Philadelphia Police through last night.
114: Year-to-date total homicides reported to Philadelphia Police through the same date in 2014.
[PhillyPolice.com]
93: U.S. school shootings recorded during 2020-2021 school year, highest total in 20 years.
[Institute of Education Sciences]
Updates from Up the Block and The Trace
Up the Block is maintained by The Trace.
Up the Block is maintained by The Trace.
• Up the Block now includes a huge amount of information relating to how to reach your local government, as well as a few new organizations you can work with to keep your neighborhood safe. Visit: UpTheBlock.org
The Trace Is Hiring a Community Engagement Reporter in Philadelphia
The Trace Is Hiring a Community Engagement Reporter in Philadelphia
“This role is focused on community engagement reporting and is distinct from the local beat reporter we are also hiring in Philadelphia.”
www.thetrace.org  •  Share
Philadelphians tell local leaders what should be done about gun violence
Philadelphians tell local leaders what should be done about gun violence
• Up the Block, The Trace’s Philadelphia-based community engagement project, talked to residents at events throughout the city to find out what they wanted the city’s 37 elected officials to know and do about the violence wracking Philly’s neighborhoods.
thephiladelphiacitizen.org  •  Share
National news nutshell
On Gun Control, Supreme Court And Congress Move In Opposite Directions
On Gun Control, Supreme Court And Congress Move In Opposite Directions
• Congress passed the first major federal gun legislation in decades. President Biden signed it into law. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court issued a 6-3 opinion striking down a major gun control law.
www.npr.org  •  Share
Role of the media
“In the medical community, gun violence is considered a public health issue. But by and large, in U.S. news media it’s not discussed as a public health issue. It’s largely discussed as criminal justice. … There’s not as much reporting on potential solutions to these problems, compared to the volume of the coverage of the crime itself.” - Lehigh University journalism professor, former Philadelphia Daily News photographer and PCGVR research partner Dr. Jennifer Midberry via The Journalist’s Resource.
Uvalde: how we could reduce school shootings even without gun control.
Uvalde: how we could reduce school shootings even without gun control.
“Our national strategy should include, with the media, some discussion on what not to talk about with regard to the perpetrator, same as we do with suicides, same as we do with mass terrorism.”
slate.com  •  Share
• Fact check: A Fox News host last week said: “I don’t believe anybody with a concealed carry permit ever committed a mass shooting.” That’s inaccurate; there have been several such cases, including the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue. The nonprofit Violence Policy Center has counted 37 mass shootings that were committed by concealed carry permit holders since 2007. [POLITIFACT]
Resolved
Don’t Blame Bail Reform for Gun Violence
Don’t Blame Bail Reform for Gun Violence
“There is no evidence linking bail reform to the rising rates of violent crime in the United States.”
www.americanprogress.org  •  Share
Insight
Mental Health, Gun Violence, And Why America Connects Them
Mental Health, Gun Violence, And Why America Connects Them
“Making psychiatric disease the bogeyman is politically expedient – it allows policymakers to shy away from the true culprit. It also fits into how the public often views mental illness – as something to fear.”
www.npr.org  •  Share
On policing
Commentary: Why More Police Funding Is No Route to Public Safety
Commentary: Why More Police Funding Is No Route to Public Safety
“Those in power lack the will and courage to do what is necessary to realize basic human rights in the United States.”
inkstickmedia.com  •  Share
• Could fewer arrests reduce crime? [The Guardian]
• Chicago police unveil long-awaited foot pursuit policy. [AP]
Solution of the Week
Fight City Gun Violence With Better Street Design
Fight City Gun Violence With Better Street Design
“Could a similar solution help Philly tackle part of its gun violence problem?”
nextcity.org  •  Share
Inspired
Shameka S.L. Sawyer
It’s been 2 years since I lost my brother to gun violence. This program is in his memory. He loved mentoring young people and I want to keep his memory alive by doing something he loved. Please share. Contact me if you want to support. https://t.co/dVDfB2nCzY
In memoriam
Kyle Singleton, 30, ambitious entrepreneur and dapper dresser
Kyle Singleton, 30, ambitious entrepreneur and dapper dresser
“All he wanted to do was laugh and have fun and give as much love as he possibly could.”
www.phillyobitproject.com  •  Share
Do you need help?
In Philadelphia:
• The City of Philadelphia operates a 24-hour telephone hotline to assist people and their families dealing with behavioral health emergencies at (215) 685-6440. More info: healthymindsphilly.org
Anywhere:
• If you or someone you know is suicidal, in crisis, or in need of general mental health support, please know help is available. You can contact your physician, local hospital emergency room, or any of the hotlines, text lines, web chats, and support groups listed below. Most are free and confidential resources. Many are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK (8255)
• Crisis Text Line: 741741
• Lifeline Chat web chat service
• Samaritans’ Helpline: (877) 870-4673 (available in 240+ languages)
Journalists: Take this online course on Responsible Reporting on Suicide. (You can audit it for free or pay to get certified.)
Don's miss our web site
The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting
Better gun violence reporting could enhance public understanding and support for effective programs and policies to prevent shootings and hopefully save lives. But what does the most ethical, impactful and empathetic reporting look like?
www.pcgvr.org  •  Share
Did you enjoy this issue?
The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting

Better gun violence reporting could enhance public understanding and support for effective programs and policies to prevent shootings and hopefully save lives. But what does the most ethical, impactful and empathetic reporting look like?

The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting was launched to explore the hypotheses that changing the practice of news reporting can prevent gun violence. Since then, our research has refined this focus by identifying harmful reporting practices, asking what best practices would look like and how they could be implemented. Now, we have organized our work into three closely-aligned programs:

CREDIBLE MESSENGER REPORTING PROJECT

Our community reporting project trains, compensates and empowers people impacted by gun violence in Philadelphia to produce and distribute news reports on its root causes, their lived experience and possible solutions from the community perspective, with guidance from professional journalists.

RESEARCH AT THE CENTER

Our interdisciplinary research collaborative is exploring the intersection of gun violence, impacted communities and the media. Our Director of Research Dr. Jessica H. Beard is a trauma surgeon who cares for gunshot patients at Temple University Hospital and researches public health at Temple’s Lewis Katz School of Medicine. Her work is supported by a three-year Stoneleigh Foundation Fellowship.

BETTER GUN VIOLENCE REPORTING

Our professional development program strives to help journalists covering gun violence find a more diverse selection of experts, the most reliable data, evidence-based solutions, inspiring past reporting, strategies for community engagement, professional networking opportunities and additional resources. Representatives from every major Philadelphia news organization have participated.

VISION

We strive to model ourselves after other organizations that have dramatically advanced the practice of journalism. Within five years, we hope to support a small staff with a long runway for continuing operations and a strategic plan for sustainability.

Until then, we plan to continue supporting voices from the community, publishing research that informs best practices and building networks of journalists who believe we can all do better, make a difference and stop the violence.

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