Public Safety

When she took office in January 2024, one of Mayor Cherrelle Parker's first executive actions dealt with aggressively combating crime in Philadelphia. "We will declare a Public Safety Emergency and expeditiously get every available resource into neighborhoods struggling from the scourges of crime, gun violence, drugs, and addiction," she said in her inaugural address. Since then, crime rates across the U.S. have largely retreated back to pre-pandemic levels, but it remains one of Parker's key focus areas. Here's how she's trying to address it.

Initiatives

Kings Highway Apartments on Frankford Avenue in Philadelphia (Aaron Moselle/WHYY)

Kensington Revival Plan

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA downtown skyline from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge (2018)

Progress Updates

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Mayor touts progress on initiatives at State of the City address

(Impacto) In her 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Cherelle Parker highlighted her administration's progress on public safety, education, the environment and economic opportunity. 

Her highlights included: A decline in homicides and shootings, bringing Philadelphia close to a 50-year low; funding for before- and after-school programs that covers 40 public and charter schools through the Extended Day, Extended Year initiative; and city-wide cleaning efforts such as block cleanups, vacant lot maintenance, and expanded twice-a-week trash collection.

Parker also signed Executive Order No. 7-25, formally committing the City to ending street homelessness. The order directs the Office of Homeless Services to facilitate and financially support the operation of 1,000 new shelter beds by January 31, 2026. 

Mayor's public safety efforts include focus on increased police presence and substance abuse treatment

When she took office, Mayor Parker pledged to: 

  • Increase police officers on streets, with focus on community policing
  • Declare a public safety emergency to address neighborhoods hit hard by crime, gun violence and drugs--including Kensington
  • Address crimes against property and quality-of-life offenses, such as car theft, shoplifting and illegal ATVs 

In her first city budget proposal, Mayor Parker allocated funds for:

  • Hiring 400 police officers
  • Starting a citywide wellness ecosystem that supports long-term care, treatment, and housing.

Key offices and efforts

Key quotes

  • "We must rebuild trust between police and the communities they serve. Our officers must be guardians, not warriors." (inaugural address, Jan 2024)

  • “My One Philly Budget supports deploying more officers in the field — walking the beat, riding a bike, getting to know the people they are sworn to protect and serve — the core of our community policing model,” (budget proposal, Mar 2024)

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Explore Other Issues Areas

Philadelphia Skyline with Greenery in Foreground From Drexel Park

Clean & Green

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Education

An aerial view from a rooftop on Magee Avenue in the Cheltenham neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States February 22, 2025

Economic Opportunity

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Solutions Progress Report

The Solutions Progress Report tracks updates on the key issues and initiatives of Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration. 

Explore the Solutions Progress Report