Philadelphia police are developing a new public safety plan that incorporates input from the community.
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Philadelphia police are developing a new public safety plan that incorporates input from the community.

In a significant initiative aimed at reshaping public safety in Philadelphia, Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel announced on Thursday that the Philadelphia Police Department is in the advanced stages of developing a five-year strategic plan. This effort is characterized by extensive community involvement, a first for the department, which aims to ensure that the concerns and perspectives of local residents are incorporated into its framework. The anticipated completion date for this strategic plan is set for shortly after the commencement of the new year.

To date, more than 200 stakeholders, including police captains, administrators, community representatives, and young individuals with experiences in the criminal justice system, have participated in consultations that inform the plan’s development. Bethel highlighted a departure from traditional practices in which public safety strategies are typically devised solely by police and city officials, often without community input. He emphasized the necessity of fostering trust between law enforcement and the community, stating that for residents to invest in a plan, they must recognize themselves within it.

Although specific details of the proposed strategies were not disclosed, Bethel indicated that the plan would build upon the 100-day public safety plan he previously developed for Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. He expressed intentions to enhance officer training and wellness programs while establishing a clearer definition and model for community policing, which he believes has been inadequately defined in past initiatives.

David Zega, appointed by Bethel from the Philadelphia School District to lead this initiative, is in the ongoing process of drafting the plan’s framework. Zega began outreach with stakeholders in May and expects to have a draft ready by January. He has invited community members to participate in the process by completing a survey aimed at gathering additional input on public safety concerns.

The backdrop against which this strategic planning occurs is noteworthy. Philadelphia is expected to record its lowest homicide count in 50 years this year. The effectiveness of the department is reflected in an 86% homicide clearance rate and a nearly 40% clearance rate for nonfatal shootings, both figures representing the highest levels observed in decades. Additionally, the city has recently shed its previous designation as the most impoverished major city in the United States, further enhancing the context for these developments.

The collaborative approach championed by Bethel stands as a potential model for police departments seeking to align more closely with the communities they serve, creating a transformative dialogue centered on safety and mutual investment in community health. Media News Source.

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