“So what our office did was partner with the police department to make sure that doesn’t happen again. “There was a gap, and ended up cleaning up the remains of her grandchild,” she said. He attributed the phenomenon to the ‘sheer volume’ of guns accessible in Philadelphia, saying, “It’s not narcotics distribution, it’s not gang violence… As long as somebody is carrying a weapon and they get into an argument, they’re going to use it.”Īdara Combs, the executive director of the Office of the Victim Advocate, said that the agency is committed to fixing “holes” in Philadelphia’s response to shooting survivors and others affected.Ĭombs recalled a community member who approached the office after their grandchild was shot and killed. SEPTA Police Chief Chuck Lawson expressed concern about the increase in gun violence on public transportation, even as shootings have decreased by about 20%. And so if the interventions are not important then, then when will they be?” The sheer impact that has on our schools is significant… a kid who gets shot is more likely to get shot again or be killed or kill or shoot someone. “Twenty-five of those students were active students. “Thirty of the shootings were fatal,” said Bethel. Kevin Bethel, the chief safety officer for the Philadelphia School District, warned that traumatic incidents that affect a larger community over time - defined as community trauma - have already impacted more than 100 students in the last school year. Some of the responses we have to really look at closely because they add trauma to a situation.” She continued, “This requires a systemic response… you have to convene like we are doing here and to work together to shift the system. WHYY thanks our sponsors - become a WHYY sponsor
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