Weekly Brief

About five-to-ten percent of city blocks generate half to two-thirds of all serious reported crimes, such as gun violence. Two short documentaries produced with support from our Credible Messenger Reporting Project have premieres next week. The city will soon begin distributing funds to community groups addressing gun violence. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office will host three roundtable discussions with young people impacted by gun violence. Philadelphia gun violence prevention activist Jamal Johnson is marching to Washington. Read More

Last month’s shooting victim total more than doubled the average for July during the five years before the pandemic. Read More

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney doubled down on his refusal to declare a gun violence emergency during the city’s bi-weekly gun violence prevention briefing last Wednesday. Shortly before the briefing, a triple shooting in West Philadelphia left an 18-year-old and 15-year-old dead, and another 15-year-old wounded. As of last week, community groups hadn’t heard a word about the gun violence prevention money promised in Philly’s new budget Read More

Several newsrooms shared a letter from Mayor Jim Kenney refusing to declare a state of emergency for gun violence in Philadelphia. Councilmember Jamie Gauthier led the response. Some are now calling the mayor a coward. Read More

PCGVR Director of Research Director Dr. Jessica Beard will moderate a an esteemed panel of Philadelphia thought leaders addressing gun violence, public health and the role of the media. Read More

City data show 224 people shot in Philadelphia last month, the highest monthly total recorded so far this year and 22 more shooting victims than were recored during June, 2020. Read More