Tracking gun violence in Philadelphia: November 10, 2020

Philadelphia crossed another grim threshold last week with more than 2,000 shooting victims recorded during the previous 365 days for the first time in recent years.
Philadelphia crossed another grim threshold last week with more than 2,000 shooting victims recorded during the previous 365 days for the first time in recent years. [@PCGVR]

Latest Philadelphia Data

• Police report 58 people shot in Philadelphia during the week ending Sunday. The previous week’s total was revised up from 61 to 68, making it the second-highest recorded since the category was added to open data in late April. [Philadelphia Police]

• The city lost 422 lives to homicide this year through Sunday night; 99 percent ahead of the pace recorded here in 2013. [Philadelphia Police]

Say their names

Here are the names of all 66 people murdered in Philadelphia during October. “But we know they are not just names.” [Philadelphia Obituary Project]

Incidents in context

• Three teenage boys were shot Sunday evening in Philadelphia; ages 13, 16 and 17. The latest city data had already recorded 157 shooting victims under age 18 this year in Philadelphia, representing a 63.5 percent increase over the 2019 rate. [The Philadelphia Inquirer/PCGVR]

• Three people were shot in one incident in Kensington last week. News reports have now recorded 74 shooting incidents with three of more victims during 2020 in Philadelphia. [CBS Philly/Gun Violence Archive]

Election report

• Happening in 71 days: Get to know the Biden/Harris plan to end gun violence. [JoeBiden.com]

• The Trace has been breaking down election results and implications related to guns, gun violence and prevention. Click on the latest headline under the “Rounds” banner on their homepage and then continue scrolling down though past editions. [The Trace]

• Philadelphia voters approved a ballot question creating a new Office of Victim Advocate in Philadelphia which could be up and running by the middle of 2021. [Philadelphia City Council]

• At least one gunshot patient voted from Temple Hospital last week [@TheScottCharles]

Research

• Temple criminal justice professor issues call-to-action along with the release of new report on “Reducing Violence Without Police.” [@CaterinaGRoman/John Jay College of Criminal Justice]

• Chicago: Community partner focus groups say shifting funds from police budget could reduce crime but reject abolishing cops entirely. [Block Club Chicago]

Solution of the Week

• How to lower the risk for household gun violence: a mix of safe storage practices, plus emotional and mental health self-care. [The Hill]

Looking back

• The Better Gun Violence Reporting Summit took place one year and two days ago. The gathering led to the launch of this Center, a set of best reporting practices, new partnerships and more. You can still listen to the sessions online for free: [Nieman Reports/IBGVR]

• The Guns and America public radio collaboration is winding down. We’re especially grateful for their contribution to the Summit. [@GunsReporting/IBGVR]

Rest in Power

• Funeral services were held Saturday for Walter Wallace Jr., who was shot to death late last month by two Philadelphia Police officers. New research shows that police in the U.S. shoot unarmed Black people at more than three times the rate at which they shoot white people. [The Philadelphia Inquirer/Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health]

Finding help in Philadelphia

• The Philly Gun Violence Resource List was compiled by WHYY’s Billy Penn and has been released for public use by other media organizations or anyone else. [Google Docs]

• Safe gun storage prevents unintentional shootings and people in Philadelphia are invited to get a free gun lock. [Temple Safety Net]

Report for us!

We are now seeking applicants to join the Credible Messenger Reporting Project and tell the story of gun violence and prevention in Philadelphia from the community perspective.

Community reporters will be paired with professional journalists to learn from each other, craft stories and get the news out where it can make a difference.

We hope to see some of the resulting reports shared by local news organizations, while other might be more effective on social media platforms and we hope to find professional journalists learning more about engaging new audiences. The possibilities are endless.

The Center will provide equal funding to both partners and cover related expenses, including stipends for story subjects from the community in some cases.

Visit our home page for more info and link to apply: IBGVR.org