Kensington. It’s the part of Philadelphia many residents turn a blind eye to. The skid row of Philly. An open-air drug market where people from all different social-economic backgrounds and races have fallen victim to the deadly throes of drug addition. Especially in Philadelphia, the opioid epidemic has hit hard. Mayor Cherelle Parker is ready to do something about it all.
Public Safety Emergency
After officially being sworn in as Philadelphia’s 100th Mayor in what was a historical win, Cherelle Parker immediately got to work. One of the first things on her agenda was to sign an executive order declaring a state of public safety emergency throughout the city.
Newly sworn-in Police Commissioner, Kevin Bethel, is tasked with coming up with a comprehensive plan. The plan will address public safety throughout the city.
Indeed, one of the contributing factors to a lack of safety in the community is the ongoing war with drugs and addiction rife in the city.
Parker has long stressed her goal to combat areas of high drug traffic and use like Kensington.
“It’s developing a strategy to permanently shut down all open-air drug markets here in the city of Philadelphia,” Parker said.
In fact, Kensington has the biggest free-flowing drug market in the city. Addiction, homelessness, crime, and death govern this community.
Hope For Kensington
Undoubtedly, cleaning up areas like Kensington is no easy task. The challenges are plentiful nevertheless, the alternative of dismissing an entire section of Philadelphia is no longer acceptable.
A joint effort between government officials, community activist, and residents are needed to initiate a level of change.
After a taking a tour of its street Thursday, Police Commissioner, Kevin Bethel vows change. “Here in Kensington the reality is stark, painful needles litter our path. Let it be clear, this ends today,” said Bethel.
In addition to the executive order regarding public safety, Parker also signed two more executive orders.
The next order will make local government more visible, promising citizens a government they can “see, touch, and feel”.
The last order, focuses on expanding economic opportunity for Philly residents 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.”
In 2022, Philadelphia reported 1,413 overdose deaths, an 11% increase from 2021.
It remains to be seen what and how this plan will be executed.
However, starting the new year with hope for Kensington– we’ll take that.