Links:


Behind the Bars
The Philadelphia Tribune's investigative journalism series "Behind the Bars" explores the social and economic impact of the growing presence of African American men and women in prisons.


This special four part report looks at:
-Black Men: Why so many African-American men appear to be caught in a trend


-Black Women: Numbers of female inmates are growing in city and across the county


-Black Juveniles: What can be done to prevent troubled demographic from begin locked up


-Prison Conditions: A look at the overcrowding and inhumane treatment in U.S. prisons


Step Up, Speak Up
The Step Up, Speak Up (SUSU) Campaign is an effort to encourage citizens living in the tri-state area to report violent crimes, such as homicides and also in response to the "Stop Snitching" tee shirts and campaign that has been seen on the streets in the tri-state area.


The Citizens Crime Commission of Delaware Valley
The mission of the Citizens Crime Commission is "to improve the quality of life in the Delaware Valley by improved safety and security initiatives."


WorkReady Philadelphia
What can you do to end the violence? You can give teens from the neighborhood their first shot at a job, a career and a reason to stay out of trouble. You'll also be helping to build the region's workforce for the future. Check out how your business can get involved in WorkReady Philadelphia.


The Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia
The Blueprint for a Safer Philadelphia Initiative is a 10-year community-based violence prevention initiative with the goal of eliminating all youth homicide in Philadelphia by the year 2016.


Back to Violent Crime in Philadelphia Homepage


Back to WHYY Homepage

WHYY Online Special


Violent Crime in Philadelphia
A City Searches for Answers... and Hope.

Resources


WHYY'S Radio Times with Marty Moss-Coane has done a number of shows on this issue in recent months. To hear unique insights, personal stories and for context on the situation, check out the following episodes:

  • Violence on Philadelphia streets. We talk with ELIJAH ANDERSON, Penn professor of sociology and author of "The Code of the Streets," and DAVID FATTAH, SR, co-founder of the House of UMOJA.
    Listen » (originally aired 08/03/2006)


  • Reaction to Philadelphia's latest plan to curb urban violence. So far this year, 222 people have been killed in the city, which is seven percent higher than at this point last year. We'll talk with Pennsylvania State Representative DWIGHT EVANS, and criminologist LAWRENCE SHERMAN on their reaction to this plan, and other anti-crime measures being discussed.
    Listen » (originally aired 07/28/2006)


  • Philadelphia's gun court was established in 2005 in an attempt to make a dent in the number of guns on the city's streets. JEFFREY MINEHART who presided over the court during its first year in operation joins us to talk his experience and the problem of gun violence in Philadelphia.
    Listen » (originally aired 06/20/2006)


  • SALOME THOMAS-EL joins us to talk about helping African-American youth at risk. He has worked with kids as a teacher, principal and chess coach. His memoir, "I Choose to Stay" has been optioned by Disney Films and his new book is "The Immortality of Influence."
    Listen » (originally aired 5/15/2006)


  • Witness intimidation presents enormous challenges in bringing criminals to justice. We talk with MALIK AZIZ of Men United for a Better Philadelphia, GREG THOMPSON of Don't Fall Down in the Hood, and JERRY WILLIAMS of the FBI, about the challenges of getting witnesses to come forward.
    Listen » (originally aired 3/9/2006)


  • Can Philadelphia's latest anti-crime plan stem the recent spike of murders? We'll talk with SYLVESTER JOHNSON, Philadelphia's Police Commission about how the Mayor's newest initiative "Operation Safer Streets" will work. The city is planning a four-pronged program that proposes $10 million more in overtime money for the Police Department to ramp up policing in targeted areas; encourages citizens to turn in guns and report lost or stolen guns and illegal gun sales; more focus on violence prevention; and calls for greater community involvement.
    Listen » (originally aired 2/17/2006)


  • Philadelphia's high murder rate. Why is this city seeing more killings while many other large cities experiencing declines? We talk with HAROLD JACKSON, deputy editorial page editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer, VICTORIA YANCEY, who is a liaison between the Philadelphia School District and victims families, and Pastor DICIE GILMORE, member of Mothers in Charge. Her son Nasir was killed in April 2004.
    Listen » (originally aired 12/6/2005)