The central focus of the Parker administration is to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation with economic opportunity for everyone.

This vision has been set in motion as of January 2, 2024 — Day 1 of Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s post as Philadelphia’s 100th Mayor, with the signing of three bold, significant executive orders.

Executive Order 1

Declaring a public safety emergency.

The first executive order declared a public safety emergency and directs the Police Commissioner and Managing Director’s Office, along with other City Departments, to develop and deliver comprehensive plans, within 100 days that address public safety in our city. 

The comprehensive plan must keep collaboration between different branches and levels of government at the center and convey a path to achieve the following priorities:

• Increase the number of police officers, particularly those trained to engage in community policing across Philadelphia;
• Reduce the elevated levels of violent crimes, particularly gun crimes;
• Combat the elevated levels of crimes against property and quality-of-life offenses, including retail thefts, the unlawful operation of ATVs and motorbikes in Philadelphia;
• Develop a strategy to permanently shut down all open-air drug markets.

Learn more about the first executive order.

Executive Order 2

Ensuring a local government that is visible, responsive, and effective.

The second executive order is a commitment to ensure Philadelphians have a local government they can see, touch, and feel— a visible, responsive, and effective government. 

This executive order sets forth a comprehensive approach to improving City service delivery that meets the needs of residents from every neighborhood. This order directs the Mayor’s Office, the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, and the Managing Director’s Office to develop a comprehensive listing of all channels through which the City delivers services to the public and all specific services (other than social services) provided to individuals within 120 days.

Several examples of this executive order include:

Block parties – It has been challenging for residents in some areas to easily access the permits that are needed to hold a neighborhood block party – an important part of life and enjoyment of community in our city. That process must be made easier and more accessible for residents – and it will be.

Property tax assistance for seniors – The city has a number of property tax assistance programs – the Homestead Exemption, LOOP, a Tax Freeze – that have historically been confusing and difficult to access for seniors. These programs will be evaluated and made easier to access for our seniors.

Learn more about the second executive order.

Executive Order 3

Expanding economic opportunity for all by removing barriers to city employment.

The third executive order is about equitable access to quality jobs – including those with the City. It is essential to providing economic opportunity for every resident of the City of Philadelphia. Degree-based requirements and written examinations can pose barriers for otherwise qualified potential applicants to access City jobs.

We want to eliminate these barriers to City employment wherever we can. 

Governor Hogan did this in Maryland in 2022, and PA Governor Shapiro did it last year – we’re going to do it here in Philadelphia too. 

This executive order expands current efforts related to civil service positions (92% of City jobs are civil service) to:

• Identify alternative pathways for candidates to demonstrate needed competencies and skills, including through experience and other credentials; and
• Use time and experience (“T&E”) assessments rather than written examinations whenever possible. 

Mayor Parker has promised “a robust exploration of the potential elimination” of those written civil service examinations.

Learn more about the third executive order.