Broad Street Brief: Parker’s Plan on Crime, Public Safety; Three CPOC Commissioners Resign in Protest; Norristown Plans “Sweep” of Homeless Encampments

June 1, 2023

City Hall

Upcoming Committee Hearings

Philadelphia City Council holds several public hearings throughout the legislative calendar. You can watch the hearings here.

  • The Committee on Streets & Services will be holding a public hearing today at 10 a.m. to discuss several ordinances related to parking regulations, construction, and more.
  • The Joint Committees on the Environment and Transportation & Public Utilities will be holding a public hearing today at 1 p.m. to discuss the city’s emergency management practices and overall preparedness when facing credible threats to its drinking water.
  • The Committee on Licenses & Inspections will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, June 6 at 10 a.m. to further define nuisance businesses and discuss potential additional enforcement and penalties.
  • The Committee on Parks, Recreation & Cultural Affairs will be holding a public hearing on Tuesday, June 6 at 1 p.m. to discuss naming and designating the Chew Playground basketball courts and re-naming and designating Bridesburg Park.
  • The Committee of the Whole will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, June 7 at 10 a.m. to discuss appointments and the FY24 Capital and Operating Budgets.

Election Update

A Look at Parker’s Crime, Public Safety Platform

Crime and public safety were top concerns for voters throughout the primary race, and will no doubt play a role during the general election in November. Democratic mayoral nominee Cherelle Parker was notable among her competitors for her strong support of law enforcement, as well as her advocacy of so-called “constitutional stop and frisk.” She is also a proponent of requiring additional training and implementation of accountability measures for law enforcement and community policing to address crime and gun violence. Public safety on public transit is of particular interest — there have been several recent incidents of gun violence on train platforms and buses — and many see Parker’s state-level experience as a boon for the city’s relationship with SEPTA.

Around Town

Three Commissioners Resign from City’s New Police Oversight Body

Three members of the newly created Citizens Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) have resigned in protest, with one now former vice chair citing “toxic dysfunction” of the board. The CPOC was created by a ballot question in November 2020 in the wake of racial justice protests that swept the nation. A more recent ballot question that was intended to address some of the body’s concerns failed to pass.

Philadelphia One of Four U.S. Cities Where Renting Is More Expensive Than Buying

According to a new report from Redfin, Philadelphia is one of only four U.S. metropolitan areas where it is less expensive to buy a house than to rent. Housing experts attribute this to relatively stagnant home values, as well as Philadelphia’s status as the nation’s poorest large city.

Suburban Spotlight

Norristown Potentially Planning “Sweep” of Homeless Encampments

Officials in Norristown are reportedly planning a “sweep” of about 20 homeless encampments across the municipality, which would impact approximately 160 people who currently live in tents in public areas. A PECO spokesperson has stated that the focus of the sweep would be on utility-owned land along the Schuylkill River Trail.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

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