City also announces targeted redeployment of police officers to districts with highest rates of gun violence
PHILADELPHIA – City officials today recapped comprehensive efforts to reduce violence, including the Police Department’s efforts at enhancing public safety along with the critical violence prevention and intervention work by the Office of Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJPS).
In addition, focused on reducing gun violence in communities where the need is greatest, Mayor Jim Kenney and the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) today announced that, starting on Monday, January 9, 2023, the Department will redeploy at least 100 additional officers in neighborhoods currently experiencing the highest rates of gun crime in the city.
The new initiative is coupled with a recently-completed realignment of the Department’s Operation Pinpoint, which is based on data identifying violence “hotspots” across Philadelphia. Together, these measures will boost police presence and target high-risk offenders and potential victims in the four police districts that cumulatively account for 43 percent of gun violence in Philadelphia this year: the 22nd District and 24th District in North Philadelphia, the 25th District in Kensington and North Philadelphia, and the 39th District in Germantown. Over the next several months, PPD will be realigning the Operation Pinpoint strategy in phases, and community members can expect to see an increased police presence in realigned Pinpoint areas.
The initiative represents one of the largest redeployments of police officers to select patrol districts in recent years.
“One of the most effective ways to tackle gun violence is to follow the data about where it occurs and who are the individuals most likely to be perpetrators and victims,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Today’s announcement targets the four districts where gun violence is taking the highest toll in Philadelphia and represents a bold new step to bring help to those who need it the most. People in these communities and all across Philadelphia deserve to feel safe. Reducing gun violence demands innovation, cooperation, and relentless dedication, and I’m optimistic that we can build upon our efforts to keep Philadelphians safe in 2023. We will continue to work collaboratively with the Civic Coalition to Save Lives and law enforcement agencies across the state and federal government in implementing additional gun violence reduction measures moving forward.”
The redeployment follows an intensive review and realignment of Operation Pinpoint, PPD’s principal strategy to address violence “hotspots” and crime trends. The targeted realignment of officers is based on data provided through Operation Pinpoint, and the redeployment will provide increased police presence where the need is greatest.
“More than 100 police officers will be redeployed to some of our more challenged police districts in an effort to make a significant and lasting impact on gun violence. This targeted initiative will enhance the focus on districts that comprise a majority of violent crime,” said Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw. “Ultimately, today’s announcement highlights our collaboration with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, the FOP, as well as City services, to ensure that we are allocating resources efficiently and effectively.”
In an effort to enhance the program, the Philadelphia Police Department’s Research and Analysis Unit re-examined its current Pinpoint Areas to ensure the Department is providing the most challenged police districts and hotspots with the proper staffing and resources to address the current crime levels. PPD’s statistical unit determined that some key areas within the city need additional staffing resources to ensure successful and sustained crime-reduction efforts.
To complement the work of the Police Department, the City also launched various programs and initiatives related to short and long term violence prevention and intervention. Throughout 2022, the City has been engaging regularly with community members throughout Philadelphia, especially in neighborhoods hardest hit by gun violence. In 2023, the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety (CJPS) will continue to build partnerships with community non-profits, organizers, and concerned citizens.
The City will also continue to provide financial support to organizations on the ground combating gun violence in their neighborhoods through grant programs such as our Community Expansion Grant program (CEG), and the Targeted Community Investment Grant program (TCIG).
The Community Expansion Grant program launched in 2021 and wrapped up its final grantee cohort meeting this December. CEG focuses on building the capacity of smaller community-based organizations with a proven track record of addressing gun violence in their communities. Applications for funding will be announced in the new year.
TCIG funds community-based violence prevention programs and activities that improve public safety, increase opportunities for self-development and care, and build a stronger sense of community throughout neighborhoods most impacted by gun violence. Next spring, the City will reopen TCIG for a sixth cohort.
“We must reimagine public safety in partnership with law enforcement, providing solutions inclusive of community and prioritizing the voices of those most impacted. We recognize that law enforcement is just one part of gun violence prevention in Philadelphia and that community led responses are another critical part of the puzzle,” said Erica Atwood, Senior Director for the Office of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Criminal Justice and Public Safety. “By staying in regular contact with community members and providing financial and technical support to community-based organizations through City grant programs, like TCIG and CEG, we are expanding the capacity of our neighborhoods to support the safety and health of their communities and we look forward to building upon our work to create safer communities in the new year.”