Jun 30, 2022

Weekly Brief on Gun Violence Prevention in Philadelphia

By The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting • Issue #52 • View online

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

• 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

From 9 to 11 p.m. each night in June, faith leaders with the “Corner to Connections” initiative have walked Philly streets with the hopes of helping keep the peace. [CBS News]
Up the Block added two new categories to its large resource list: “Keeping Your Community Safe” and “Reaching Your Local Government Representatives.” [Up the Block]
Philly’s new operating budget includes a $30 million boost for the Police Department and $184 million in anti-violence spending (stay tuned for a detailed breakdown of this funding next month). [Inquirer$/WHYY]
The Supreme Court last week struck down a New York law that limited carrying guns in public. The precedent could lead to easing of permit requirements in Pa., DA Krasner warned. [AP/WHYY]
Why can kids get a gun more easily than a basketball? Why don’t leaders ask formerly incarcerated men for input? In video clips, Philadelphians aged 19 to 60 ask questions of elected officials. [Citizen]

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 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

“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

• 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

• 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.

“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

“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

“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

“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

“Could a similar solution help Philly tackle part of its gun violence problem?”

nextcity.org • Share

Inspired

Shameka S.L. Sawyer

@5ShortsProject

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

7:12 AM - 22 Jun 2022

In memoriam

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

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

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By 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.

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