WITH GUN VIOLENCE FLARING, COUNCILMEMBER GILMORE RICHARDSON INTRODUCES BILL TO TIGHTEN CURFEW LAW
One week after a horrifying mass shooting incident on South Street left 3 people dead and 11 injured by gunfire, Councilmember Katherine Gilmore Richardson (At Large) introduced legislation that would tighten the city’s existing curfew law for young people this Summer.
Under Gilmore Richardson’s bill, Philadelphia’s current curfew law would change for this summer from midnight to 10 PM for minors between 16 and 18. Existing law would remain the same for everyone else. The change would sunset on September 29, 2022.
Under current law, youths aged 16 to 18 may remain outside until Midnight, 14-15 year olds until 10 PM, and those 13 and under have until 9:30 PM to go home.
Under Gilmore Richardson’s legislation, the only change is for that 16-18 age group – they now would be required to be off the streets by 10 PM.
“Our city is struggling with gun violence,” Gilmore Richardson said after introducing her bill. “More of our children are being shot and injured. Our city is under siege, and we must take action to protect our youth.”
Gilmore Richardson, a champion of revised, upgraded curfew centers – now called Community Evening Resource Centers – told her colleagues the city is moving forward with plans to open two more Resource Centers — in North Central and Northwest Philadelphia, and is exploring plans to open another one in Northeast Philadelphia. She said 300 young people have been served in the Resource Centers since they first opened in December.
A total of 90 young people have been shot thus far this year, Gilmore Richardson said.
COUNCIL INTRODUCES AMENDMENTS TO LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT OF AVIATION
This legislation requires a change in the Home Rule Charter, since the Airport’s Aviation unit has been under control of the city’s Commerce Department for decades. The amending language addresses elements in the legislation concerning the Aviation Department Director’s salary and the number of exempt officers permitted which were inconsistent with other language in the Charter.
The legislation establishing a new Aviation Department will be brought up for final passage in Council in the next few weeks.
COUNCILMEMBER JOHNSON HOLDS EMERGENCY SESSION OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION
Following the South Street mass shooting, Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson (2nd District), who chairs Council’s Special Committee to Prevent Gun Violence, held a session Thursday afternoon in Council’s Caucus room, where a large group of violence prevention advocates heard from Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, among others.
Outlaw spoke with the group just after briefing the news media earlier, following news that U.S. Marshals had apprehended two suspects wanted in the alleged murder of two innocent bystanders on Saturday night on South Street. The suspects were arrested without incident in Richmond, Virginia, and will be extradited back to Pennsylvania to face murder and related charges, Outlaw said.
SEEN ON SOCIAL MEDIA…
PHS is partnering with The Block Gives Back and Council Members Isaiah Thomas (@CMThomasPHL) and Kendra Brooks (@KendraPHL) for the 2nd annual Citywide Community Cleanup this Saturday, June 11! To learn more and volunteer, visit https://t.co/OK5ZBB1Joy! pic.twitter.com/jH2LAYEUVv
— Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (@PHSgardening) June 8, 2022
CITY COUNCIL PASSES A PORTION OF COUNCILMEMBER GREEN’S CIVICS AGENDA
City Council on Thursday voted in favor of a series of bills that address ethical matters, including limiting how much can be spent by campaign vendors on behalf of candidates for City office, increasing protections for individuals who file complaints with the Board of Ethics (“whistleblowers”), as well as a bill making technical changes related to the City’s campaign spending and fundraising laws.
Under Bill No. 220049, candidates seeking municipal public office would be prohibited from spending more than $12,000 in expenditures through anyone other than their designated campaign committee to maintain all political financial activity, disclosures, and contributions. Bill No. 220361 updates the Code’s language for the section, ‘Political Contributions and Expenditures.’ Finally, Bill No. 220360 enhances existing protections against retaliation for individuals – “whistleblowers” – who file complaints with or seek advice from the Board of Ethics. In addition, the ordinance prohibits interference with Board of Ethics proceedings following such complaints. All three bills, sponsored by Councilmember Derek Green (At Large) as part of his larger ‘Civics Legislative Agenda,’ passed unanimously; centering on eliminating barriers to encourage more civic engagement among Philadelphians.
“This package of bills comes during a very challenging time for us as City; a time when more action, involvement, and engagement is desperately needed,” Green said. “That’s why it is of paramount importance that we as elected officials, particularly those of us who are policymakers, do everything in our power to preserve democracy through legislation that will promote trust in leadership and afford everyone equal opportunities to make their voices heard in the democratic process.”
IN OTHER NEWS…
Councilmember Johnson Offers Resolution Honoring the Life of Trudy Haynes, Philadelphia’s First Black Woman TV Broadcaster. Councilmember Johnson offered a resolution honoring the trailblazing life and career of Trudy Haynes, the veteran CBS3 newscaster who was the first Black woman broadcaster in Philadelphia TV news. “Classy,” Councilmember Johnson said with a smile, “that is how I’ll always remember Miss Trudy Haynes.” Council President Darrell L. Clarke (5th District) offered similar sentiments earlier in the week at news of Ms. Haynes’ passing, when he said in a statement, “Trudy Haynes was a courageous trailblazer. We took great pride in her accomplishments. Later in her career, she would come to City Council to cover the news, and having Trudy in Council was like having a celebrity in the room,. She will be profoundly missed.”
OTHER SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM THE COUNCIL WEEK
Committee on Streets and Services 6-7-2022
Committee of the Whole 6-8-2022
Stated Meeting of Philadelphia City Council 6-9-2022
The next Stated Meeting of City Council is scheduled to take place on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at 10 a.m. The Meeting will be held remotely due to the ongoing pandemic, and will air on Xfinity Ch. 64, Fios Channel 40 and stream at www.PHLCouncil.com/watch.
