Latest Philadelphia data
• Police reported 47 shooting victims in Philadelphia during the seven-day period ending Sunday; up from 36 people shot during the previous week and 26 people shot two weeks earlier. Year-to-date shooting victims are running 48.4 percent ahead of last year’s pace. At least nine of last week’s Philadelphia shooting victims have died. Thirteen teens were struck, including four 15-year-olds. [Philadelphia Police via Google/Open Data Philly]
• Police reported 100 total homicides this year-to-date through Sunday night. Philadelphia has not suffered 100 homicides before the end of March since 2007. [PhillyPolice.com/@PhillyHomicides]
• Philadelphia’s gun homicide rate in 2020 was slightly more than double the average rate suffered across the 100 most populous US cities, according to the Gun Violence 20/20 City Tracker, a new tool from the RISE Lab at Boston University. [@PCGVR/RISE Lab via ArcGIS]
• Philadelphia suffered its third and fourth mass shooting incidents of 2021 last week. [Gun Violence Archive]
Briefings begin
• Philadelphia Mayor Kenney announced that the city will hold regular gun violence prevention briefings. You can watch on Facebook beginning today at noon. [Phila.gov/Facebook]
• The enhanced transparency could reduce violence by changing the media narrative around shootings. A public health expert might be helpful with the public health approach. [@CouncilmemberJG via YouTube/@ Marla4Peace]
Opinion from Philadelphia
• Reimagining safety means making intentional decisions to address the root causes of gun violence through policy changes and financial investment in Black people and Black neighborhoods. [The Washington Post]
Not for sale
• Ghost guns will no longer be sold at most Pennsylvania gun shows. Attorney General Shapiro discussed why that’s important. [The Philadelphia Inquirer/@EFSGV]
New survey
• The Pennsylvania Safety Alliance released a new survey that demonstrates overwhelming support for requiring a permit to purchase a firearm. [PA SAFETY ALLIANCE]
Washington
• Congress passed legislation that would require background checks for gun purchases but the Senate might now follow through. [The Associated Press]
Research
• Young men of color in Philadelphia self-isolate to avoid dangers, including street violence and the criminal-legal system. [The Philadelphia Inquirer]
On the Media
• The FBI’s transition to a new crime reporting system could make it difficult to assess trends for the next few years and result in some misleading headlines. [New York Times]
• Some shootings gets more news coverage than others. “You don’t need to be a criminologist to see this.” [The Columbus Dispatch]
Open letter on gun violence
• Portland, OR, area officials “openly acknowledge and express regret for past mistakes and the historical inequities and racism surrounding public safety and health for BIPOC communities.” [Multnomah County]
Life After the Gunshot
• New docu-series highlights the effects of gun violence and mass incarceration on young men living in Washington, DC. [lifeafterthegunshot.com]
Upgrade
• The Mass Shooter Database Version 3 includes calculations of years of life lost for each mass shooting victim, adding up to 40,000 total years lost since 1966. [The Violence Project]
Solution of the Week
• New York City will be piloting the Advance Peace gun violence prevention model. A peer-reviewed study of the pilot in Sacramento, California showed a 27% reduction in gun violence. [NYC.gov/Advacne Peace]
What are we missing?
• Use the “Contact” button on our home page menu to report any errors or omissions related Philadelphia gun violence, prevention and media coverage. [PCGVR]