City Launches Gun Violence Awareness Month with Press Conference Honoring Joint Warrant Apprehension Taskforce Safety Efforts
Mayor Parker was joined by members of the Philadelphia Office of Public Safety, law enforcement agencies, and community partners to highlight the City’s violence prevention efforts
Philadelphia, PA – To mark the beginning of Gun Violence Awareness Month, the City of Philadelphia Office of Public Safety’s (OPS) Office of Safe Neighborhoods (OSN) hosted a press conference to recognize and honor individuals working tirelessly to make Philadelphia a safer city, specifically those serving on the Joint Warrant Apprehension Taskforce (JWAT), a collaborative program uniting local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the shared mission of reducing gun violence.
“Working across jurisdictions is never easy,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “It takes trust, alignment, and a shared sense of urgency. What makes the JWAT program and other programs like it special is that it puts families first. My is dedicated to support Philadelphians in need by offering pathways to safety, support, and stability.”
Spearheaded by the Office of Public Safety’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods (OSN), the program was developed in response to the tragic shooting of a two-year-old child in October 2019. The perpetrator was later found to be in fugitive status while on local and state probation. In response, OSN led a coordinated effort to unite local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in an initiative aimed at preventing future tragedies.
“There is a reason June is Gun Violence Awareness Month, as we look ahead to the warm summer months and know the pattern of increased violence that repeats year after year when folks find themselves outside more,” said Adam Geer, the City of Philadelphia’s Chief Public Safety Director. “But as we said after the tragic shooting at Lemon Hill last week and as we continue to say after every act of violence: we will not be held hostage, we are not going back to the old statics – and initiatives like JWAT and other collaborative efforts with our partners across government and in the community will get us there one step at a time.”
“Our Joint Warrant Initiative and Violence Prevention Partnership (VPP) represent a collaborative approach to community safety,” said Deion Sumpter, Director of Violence Prevention Initiatives for OSN. “By focusing on individuals with active warrants and those on high-risk probation, we’re working together to offer accountability while also recognizing the importance of respectful, fair engagement. These efforts help reduce harm and support a safer environment for everyone.”
JWAT specifically targets neighborhoods with the highest rates of shootings and homicides, using data-driven strategies to deter future acts of violence. By pairing law enforcement efforts with community resources, the program helps create safer environments while offering pathways to stability for individuals and families impacted by violence. The Office of Public Safety’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods Community Crisis Intervention Program (CCIP) serves as the lead for direct engagement with those indirectly impacted when a warrant is served like family members and others living in the residence. CCIP also works closely with community leaders—such as block captains, faith leaders, and stakeholders—to support stabilization efforts and identify urgent needs in the neighborhood.
Partnering agencies include:
- Philadelphia Police Department
- Philadelphia Adult Probation & Parole
- Philadelphia Juvenile Probation Department
- Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office
- Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
- United States Marshals Service
“The Juvenile Warrant Apprehension Task Force (JWAT) is a vital joint initiative focused on supporting juvenile probation and removing wanted individuals from our streets to make our communities safer. This collaboration underscores our commitment to public safety and accountability”, said Sheriff Rochelle Bilal. “Our recently released Term Report highlights the significant number of warrants served and executed by the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office. I am proud of the dedicated work of our deputies and their ongoing collaboration with local, state and federal law enforcement partners. Together, we are making real progress in protecting the people of Philadelphia and ensuring justice is served.”
More than 60 members of the taskforce support this program to help keep Philadelphia safe. From January 2024 to May 2025, the taskforce conducted 735 enforcement actions, resulting in 287 individuals taken into custody and 87 firearms recovered.
For more information about the JWAT program, email Director Deion Sumpter at Deion.Sumpter@phila.gov.
Philadelphians in need of resources for themselves or others can call the Office of Safe Neighborhoods at 215-686-0789 or call the 2-1-1 hotline and press Option 2.