Andre Simms, executive director of our partners at DayOneNotDayTwo, spoke to The Philadelphia Inquirer about what’s needed to sustain the recent drop in shootings across the city.
After years of record-breaking violence amid the pandemic, Philadelphia in 2024 saw a historic reduction in homicides and shootings.
The reasons behind the decline are not entirely clear, but some law enforcement officials and criminologists have pointed to a few theories: post-pandemic stability, the return and expansion of community programs, and an uptick in arrests for violent offenders.
But what do community members think? Do Philadelphians feel safer?
Here are reflections from five community leaders on changes in the city’s crime trends last year, which interventions they believe have worked, and what more needs to be done to reduce violence long term.