A lifelong resident of Philadelphia, the Honorable Curtis Jones, Jr. proudly represents the residents of the 4th Council District of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which includes Allegheny West, Belmont Village, East Falls, Manayunk, Overbrook, Overbrook Park, Roxborough, Wynnefield Andorra, Blue Bell Hill, Overbrook Farms, Haddington, Carroll Park, Wissahickon, Wynnefield Heights, West Parkside, Cathedral Park, and a small section of Brewerytown 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 and his colleagues. He served as City Council’s Majority Leader from 2012 through 2016 and as Majority Whip from 2017 to 2022. He was elected by his colleagues to serve as Majority Leader for a second time from September 22, 2022, to December 31, 2023. Currently in his fifth term, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. is the Chair of the Public Safety Committee and 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.
In 2023, Councilmember Jones and former Council President Darrell L. Clarke introduced legislation, 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 processes. 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 Curtis Jones, Jr., is a firm believer in criminal justice reform. He strongly believes that public safety does not compete with criminal justice reform. It is not public safety or criminal justice reform, but public safety and criminal justice reform together. The Councilmember has spearheaded the 100 Shooting Review Committee, which 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 Director’s Office, and the Department of Public Health 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 Blueprint for a Safer 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 The Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia,
which was presented to the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia, Cherelle L. Parker, in December of 2023. The Blueprint contained the problems, solutions, and next steps to ensuring a safer Philadelphia.
He has also passed vital legislation to address the issue of retail theft in Philadelphia by adding a $1,000 fine for trespassing in retail establishments. The resolution called upon the administration to develop grant funding programs for businesses and restaurants suffering from retail theft and crime.
In addition, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. led the charge to protect the youth of Philadelphia by introducing legislation that banned the sale of certain flavored tobacco products to combat the rise in youth smoking. Lastly, Councilmember Jones passed legislation to ban illegal gambling devices that harm the economic well-being and safety of our communities.
A noted expert on community-based economic development, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. has served in various public and private sector positions for more than three decades. Under his leadership, minority, women, and disabled business entities have received more than five hundred and eighty-three million dollars ($583,000,000) in municipal contract opportunities.
He serves on numerous boards and executive committees, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission, the Pennsylvania Crime & Delinquency Commission (both appointed by PA Governor Tom Wolf), the Criminal Justice Advisory Board (CJAB), and the Please Touch Museum, the Mann Music Center, and as a Philadelphia Gas Commissioner.
As a result of his many years of experience in the Philadelphia commerce landscape, Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. 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 Curtis Jones, Jr. is one of Overbrook High School’s accomplished graduates.