More Philadelphia police officers will soon be patrolling the streets of the Kensington neighborhood as part of the city’s latest effort to clean up and improve the community plagued by open-air drug use and sales. In this article we talk about How Philly Police Are Transforming Kensington.
Under phase two of Philadelphia’s five-stage plan for Kensington, there will be an increased police presence and enforcement activity targeting issues like drug dealing, prostitution, and quality of life crimes. This crackdown comes as drug overdoses and related problems have continued to devastate Kensington despite previous intervention attempts.
Intensified Police Presence
According to Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel, phase two will involve adding a “substantial number” of officers to Kensington to address the rampant drug trade happening daily on the streets. There is heightened concern over a deadly new fentanyl mixture that has already killed several users in the neighborhood.
Along with drug enforcement, police will be conducting warrant sweeps to clear outstanding warrants and targeting prostitution activities. The goal is to restore order and reclaim public spaces overrun by criminal behavior.
Ongoing Efforts to Improve Kensington
The increased police presence builds on ongoing efforts to curb addiction and improve safety and quality of life in Kensington. Since taking office, Mayor Cherelle Parker has made progress in Kensington a key priority. The city recently approved her budget that includes $100 million to fund triage facilities where drug users can receive treatment after being removed from the streets.
Additionally, a city council caucus was created specifically to address issues in Kensington. The council has already passed an 11 p.m. curfew for non-licensed businesses in the neighborhood. However, Mayor Parker has also called for an end to city-funded needle exchange programs despite their harm reduction benefits.
Community Collaboration Critical
While the city is leading the charge, success in Kensington will rely heavily on incorporating input from community groups and service providers. Organizations like the Kensington Planning Process and the Sunshine House overdose and gun violence prevention hub have direct experience assisting struggling residents.
As Rosalind Pichardo of the Sunshine House told NBC10, “You can’t really police your way out of this. You have to make sure that people go into treatment and the resources are available.” She notes that overdoses have spiked following last month’s clearing of a large sidewalk encampment in Kensington.
Pichardo believes the planning process needs to include medical professionals and leverage existing resources to provide treatment and other services. Questions remain regarding what interim solutions will support residents as long-term improvements are implemented.
Community members also want the city to tap into their firsthand knowledge of addiction harm reduction strategies. As Pichardo stated, “They didn’t ask us as harm reductionists what works and what doesn’t work. What’s dangerous. What’s not dangerous.”
Implementing the 5-Stage Plan
The Philadelphia police enforcement plan is expected to launch the week of June 10th with more details to come from the city. But intensified policing is only stage two of the broader five-phase initiative.
The later stages will focus on reclaiming public spaces using barricades to keep criminal activity out of targeted areas. Police will secure locations until they can be restored for community use. The final phases plan to transfer control back to the community with the assistance of area stakeholders. At that point, if improvements are sustained, police presence will decrease.
While the plan marks a shift toward proactively addressing Kensington’s struggles with creative solutions, its success depends greatly on ongoing community participation. The city must continue engaging with residents and groups experienced in serving those most in need. Only by working together can Kensington transform into a neighborhood where all feel safe, healthy, and empowered to thrive. I sincerely hope you find this “How Philly Police Are Transforming Kensington? Find Out Details” article helpful.
Skylar Lacey, a Travel and Tourism Management graduate from Temple University, offers 5 years of experience in travel writing and airport logistics at PhiladelphiaAirport.net. Her expertise helps travelers make the most of their journeys through Philadelphia International Airport. Connect with her on Instagram for more travel tips and insights.
