Mayor Cherelle Parker targets Kensington clean up after declaring public safety emergency in Philadelphia

During Mayor Parker’s inaugural address, she touched on change in enforcement and developing a strategy to permanently shut down all open-air drug markets in the city.

“We’re gonna make our city safe for the people who live here who work here and who come into our city from the survivors and from the country and across the world.”

She signed the following three executive orders into action:

• Declaring a public safety emergency in Philadelphia, and directing the Police Commissioner and Managing Director’s Office to develop comprehensive plans that address public safety across the city.
• Making local government more visible, responsive, and effective in how it delivers services to citizens and constituents. Mayor Parker seeks a government that citizens can “see, touch, and feel.”
• Expanding economic opportunity for residents of Philadelphia by removing barriers to city employment, including removing requirements for a college degree as a prerequisite for employment.

“These comprehensive plans will be delivered to my office within 100 days and the police commissioner will report to my office within 30 days on the status of each mandate in this executive order,” she said. “I am fully committed to ending the sense of lawlessness that has been so pervasive in our city and bringing back a sense of order and lawfulness.”

The former Chief of School Safety for the School District of Philadelphia highlighted the need for more officers on the street and a strong push for community policing.

Over the past few weeks, Mayor Parker announced a new team of leaders, including new Philadelphia top cop Kevin Bethel, who was sworn-in as Police Commissioner Tuesday.

“We will pursue those who harm and traumatize our neighborhoods across the city,” Commissioner Bethel said.

Philadelphia’s recent surge in crime has left many with the unsettling belief that law enforcement has been lax in the city. In her inaugural address, Mayor Cherelle Parker, the historic 100th mayor of Philadelphia and the first woman to assume this role, acknowledged the challenges, emphasizing the need for change in enforcement strategies.

Parker outlined her commitment to making the city safer for its residents, workers, and visitors alike. She specifically highlighted issues such as car theft, shoplifting, retail theft, and the illegal use of ATVs as factors diminishing the quality of life in the city. The mayor expressed her dedication to addressing these concerns on a comprehensive level, aiming to create a safer environment for everyone.

In pursuit of this goal, Mayor Parker enacted three significant executive orders, signaling a shift in the city’s approach to public safety and governance. Firstly, she declared a public safety emergency, instructing the Police Commissioner and Managing Director’s Office to develop detailed plans addressing public safety across Philadelphia. This move reflects a commitment to proactively tackle the root causes of criminal activities.

Secondly, Parker aimed to make the local government more visible, responsive, and effective in delivering services to its citizens. The mayor envisioned a government that citizens can “see, touch, and feel,” emphasizing the importance of a tangible and accessible government presence in addressing community needs.

Thirdly, in a bid to enhance economic opportunities for Philadelphia residents, the mayor decided to remove barriers to city employment. This included eliminating requirements for a college degree as a prerequisite for employment, opening doors for a more diverse and inclusive workforce.

Mayor Parker set strict timelines for the implementation of these initiatives, demanding comprehensive plans within 100 days and regular reports from the police commissioner on the status of each mandate within 30 days. Her commitment to ending the prevailing sense of lawlessness in the city and restoring order and lawfulness was evident in these decisive actions.