A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, the Honorable Curtis Jones, Jr. proudly represents the residents of the 4th District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania which includes Allegheny West, Belmont Village, East Falls, Manayunk, Overbrook, Overbrook Park, Roxborough, Wynnefield and sections of North Philadelphia. Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr.’s consistent and dedicated approach has earned him the trust, loyalty, and respect of both his constituents as well as his colleagues. He served as City Council’s Majority Leader from 2012 through 2016 and served as Majority Whip from 2017-2022. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Majority Leader for a second time from September 22, 2022 to December 31, 2023. He is currently in his fifth term. Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. is the Chair of the Public Safety, as well as co-chair of the Special Committee on Criminal Justice Reform. He is also the Vice Chair of the Committee on Commerce and Economic Development.
Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. is a champion for education, an ally for criminal justice, and a friend of the environment. Some of his most significant pieces of legislation include the creation of the Citizens Police Oversight Commission which replaced the Police Advisory Board with a new independent commission to provide oversight of the Police Department, his Good Cause Eviction Bill which requires landlords to provide reasoning in the case of an eviction, and Red Flag Laws which allow individuals to petition the courts to remove firearms from someone who presents an imminent threat. When the Courts failed to implement the laws, he introduced a Resolution calling for their implementation and to hold hearings into the impact they would have in Philadelphia. The Councilmember also introduced a resolution approved by Council proposing an amendment to the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter to provide for indemnification and defense by the City in connection with claims made against any registered community organization arising directly out of the lawful participation by such an organization in zoning matters and related land-use process Lastly, Councilmember Jones has formed a partnership with the Philadelphia School District and the Philadelphia Eid Coalition to recognize both Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha which commemorates Hajj.
Councilmember Jones is a firm believer in criminal justice reform. It is his firm belief that public safety does not compete with criminal justice reform. It is not public safety or criminal justice reform, but it is public safety and criminal justice reform together. The Councilmember has spearheaded the 100 Shooting Review Committee that unveiled its report in January of 2022. This committee brought together the collaboration of the District Attorney’s Office, the Police Department, the Public Defender’s Office, The First Judicial District, the Managing Directors Office, and The Public Health Department to further study and understand the root causes of gun violence and provide recommendations for how the city can move forward in a safe and prosperous future. The following year, Councilmember Jones held the Philadelphia Crime Summit, which brought together stakeholders, the private sector, community members, and various city departments to discuss and address crime in Philadelphia. Partnered with St. Joseph’s University, the event’s discussions and recommendations were consolidated into a white paper that was presented to mayor in December of 2023. This white paper contained the problems, solution, and next steps to ensuring a safer Philadelphia. He also passed vital legislation to address the issue of retail theft in Philadelphia. The resolution called upon the administration to develop grant funding programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime.
Alternatively, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. led the charge to protect the youth of Philadelphia. He introduced legislation that banned the sale of certain flavored tobacco products to combat the
rise in youth smoking. Also, Councilmember Jones passed legislation to ban illegal gambling devices that harm the economic wellbeing of the community. In addition to all the legislation Councilmember Jones has introduced that will benefit the city overall, he has introduced numerous bills that benefit the 4th District. He has introduced legislation that bans truck parking on certain residential streets, regulating directional traffic on certain roads, provided for the addition of traffic lights in his district, and has worked hard to ensure that residents of the 4th have a say in the affairs of their community.
A noted expert on community-based economic development, Councilmember Jones has served in various public and private sector positions for more than two decades. Under his leadership, minority, women, and disabled business entities have received more than five hundred and eighty-three million ($583,000,000) in municipal contract opportunities.
In his spare time, he serves on numerous boards and executive committees, including The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, Pennsylvania Crime & Delinquency Commission both appointed by PA Governor Tom Wolf, The Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB), former Chair of Special Investigative Committee examining City demolition procedures and operations both appointed by Council President Darrell Clarke, the Please Touch Museum, the Mann Music Center, and as a Philadelphia Gas Commissioner.
As a result of his numerous years of experience in the Philadelphia commerce landscape, Councilmember Jones has become one of City Council’s most formidable advocates for community development and educational stability. A recipient of numerous community and industry awards, Councilmember Jones, is one of Overbrook High School’s accomplished graduates.