PHILADELPHIA SEES LARGEST DROP IN GUN VIOLENCE AMONG MAJOR U.S. CITIES
Philadelphia has witnessed the largest reduction in gun violence among major U.S. cities so far this year, according to new data. The city experienced a nearly 16% drop in gun violence in April, surpassing the national decline of 13%.
The information was compiled by the independent policy group Center for American Progress, which highlighted that a four-month sample can be a reliable indicator of a yearly trend.
These findings align with an FBI analysis released this week, which reported a 15% decrease in violent crime across the United States from January to March, compared to the same period last year. The data was sourced from 72% of the nation’s law enforcement agencies that voluntarily submitted their statistics.
“Collectively, we are bending the gun violence curve in Philadelphia. We are heartened by this progress, but must remain steadfast in our commitment to saving lives through continued gun violence intervention efforts.”
– Estelle Richman
Executive Director, Civic Coalition to Save Lives
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel expressed optimism about the trend. “We’re excited about the trend that we’re seeing,” Bethel told 6abc. However, he noted that with the onset of summer, caution is necessary to avoid overestimating the progress.
The Parker Administration employs a three-pronged approach to gun violence: Prevention, Intervention and Enforcement (PIE). Estelle Richman, executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives, emphasizes that all three pieces are critically important to making the City safer. The Coalition supports community-based groups and programs that focus on Intervention, which research suggests can reduce gun violence in the near-term – in as few as 6-12 months.
At the end of 2023, homicides were down more than 20% in Philadelphia compared with the same period in 2022; to date, there has been a 38% decrease from 2023, according to data from the Philadelphia City Controller’s Office.
“The significant decrease in gun violence in Philadelphia is a testament to the collective work of the Philadelphia Police Department, the District Attorney’s Office and the community and faith-based organizations working everyday to make a tangible difference in our communities,” stated Estelle Richman. “We are encouraged by this progress and remain committed to supporting Intervention-based efforts to further this positive trend.”
Estelle Richman Honored with Prestigious Philadelphia Award
The Board of Trustees of the Philadelphia Award has selected Civic Coalition to Save Lives Executive Director Estelle Richman to receive the coveted Philadelphia Award for 2024 in its 103rd year. Richman was recognized for her tireless efforts to drive the city-wide coordination of effective evidence-based gun violence intervention strategies.
Richman was instrumental in forming the Gun Violence Intervention Coordination Center (GVICC) in late 2023. The nonprofit organization works to coordinate gun violence intervention programs to enhance service delivery to individuals at high risk of involvement in gun violence. Her hands-on approach and engagement with affected communities have ensured that their experiences shape the strategies employed to reduce shootings and homicides.
“Under Estelle’s leadership, The Civic Coalition to Save Lives has taken a model used successfully in other cities and made it work with tremendous success in Philadelphia,” said Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin J. Bethel. “She knows the importance of leveraging relationships both in and outside of government to have the most positive impact possible on the most impacted citizens. We are grateful for the partnership she has established and the resources she has delivered to help us serve, protect and save more Philadelphians.”
LISTENING FOR CHANGE
Members of the Coalition’s Workforce Development Committee met with High-Risk Young Men to Better Understand Challenges to Employment
Employment bridges the gap to economic stability and lowers gun violence risk for intervention participants. However, criminal justice involvement often blocks access to a safer, healthier and more stable future for individuals, their families and communities.
“Unemployment perpetuates high-risk instabilities—food, housing, family, social, emotional, and psychological—which, among very high risk individuals – can contribute to gun violence,” said Estelle Richman, executive director of the Civic Coalition to Save Lives. “As coordinators of intervention programs, we must support sustainable employment opportunities and access careers.”
Participants from P3 (Pushing Progress Philly) and Beat the Block recently shared their employment challenges with the Coalition. Discussions focused on work, skills, education, and employment needs. Eight men from P3, mostly in their mid to late twenties, candidly discussed their job experiences before and after incarceration. They were high school graduates with some college or vocational training, motivated to gain skills and work experience.
Because most high-risk participants engaged in intervention programs have criminal justice backgrounds, fair hiring practices like the Philadelphia ordinance that prohibits employers from asking job applicants about any criminal histories, can sometimes hurt more than help. All the participants in P3 and many in Beat the Block described the discouragement of being hired and even going through the on-boarding process, only to be let go when their federal background checks reveal criminal convictions or incarceration.
“You feel hopeless when you try, and doors slam shut,” said one P3 participant. “I didn’t realize how hard it was to find a job.”
Men at both sessions noted the lack of positive employment role models and exposure to diverse jobs while growing up. One mentioned drug dealers as the only successful entrepreneurs he knew.
The Coalition is exploring collaborations with corporate and non-profit organizations for workforce development reentry programs. Plans include a listening session with employers who hire returning citizens and hiring a staff member to help coordinate employment opportunities for very high risk individual participants in intervention programs.
Here’s more of what we heard from P3 and Beat the Block Participants:
“Just the fact that this person has applied for this job says they’re not the same person as they are on paper. They are looking for space and a chance to turn things around. But we keep getting turned down. Seeing a person get a job, can positively affect 10 down the line.”
“I am hard working, determined and eager to learn. If you stick me in a box before I get there, it’s already over. That 90-day probation puts you in a choker.”
“I am the youngest of five children. I have four sisters, we have no fathers. When I met drug dealers, I did look up to them as a father figure, but they led me astray. Selling drugs doesn’t come with a 401K.”
“I applied at a large retail store. Friends pulled strings; I still can’t get in.”
“I got accepted at one job; on the day of orientation, they told me not to come back because of my criminal background.”
Q&A with National Urban Fellow Anthony Shaw
For the past 14-months, National Urban Fellow and Philadelphia native, Anthony Shaw has been working with the Gun Violence Intervention Coordination Center (GVICC) while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s in Policy Management from Georgetown University’s McCourt School for Public Policy.
During the prestigious mid-career leadership program Tony supported a portfolio of GVICC partners by providing technical support and strategic assistance to ensure they are able to deliver effective programming without hindrances. He was instrumental in the successful implementation of the City’s Public Housing Authority (PHA) pilot program to provide emergency public house assistance to individuals enrolled in intervention programs.
We sat down with Tony to ask him about his experience as a National Urban Fellow, the impact of GVICC and his thoughts on public-private partnerships to influence policy, promote community engagement, and effect positive change.
Hoops For Hope
High-Risk Men, Police Unite In Basketball
Pushing Progress Philly (P3), a pilot community violence intervention (CVI) program run by the City, held its inaugural basketball game at the Belfield Recreation Center April 27. The event served as a platform for fostering positive interactions between community intervention groups, law enforcement, and local politics. Collaborators included Nicetown CDC, Belfield Advisory Council, local police districts (14th, 35th, 39th), Excelsior School of Philadelphia, GVI, Sheriff Department, PAAN, IDAAY, Flex Fitness, NOMO Foundation, EDSI, IMPACT, Councilwoman Cindy Bass, State Senator Art Haywood, Office of Violence Prevention, Town Watch Integrated Services, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and the Civic Coalition to Save Lives. The group most at-risk of gun violence – men aged 18-34 – played with law enforcement in an effort to start building trust.
The game showcased spirited competition, with GVI emerging as the champions. Organizers say the inaugural CVI basketball game marked a significant milestone in community engagement and collaborative efforts toward creating safer and more cohesive neighborhoods.
PCCD Invests in Philadelphia’s Anti-Gun Violence Efforts
Senator Vincent Hughes was recently joined by Representative Morgan Cephas and leaders from Episcopal Community Services to recognize a new round of Violence Intervention and Prevention finding that was awarded through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
Over $870,000 was awarded to Episcopal Community Services and their program, St. Barnabas, located at 60th and Girard.
“The recipients of these grants, including Episcopal Community Services, are bringing hope and life to communities and we’re seeing positive outcomes of that work.” -Senator Hughes
A Penn Live Arts “Toll the Bell” event on National Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 7th) featured bells ringing in more than 40 locations across the city, starting at 1 p.m. The event began with an interfaith vigil with University of Pennsylvania’s Rev. Chaz Lattimore Howard, Interfaith Philadelphia and the Religious Leaders Council. The City-wide sound installation honored gun violence victims and raised awareness around the issue.