Philadelphia officials and law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to address the escalating gun violence crisis in the city.
As the threat of violence continues to loom over residents, authorities aim to implement existing laws and engaging with at-risk communities to curb the proliferation of guns and associated crimes.
Chief Inspector Michael McCarrick of the City of Philadelphia Police Department’s Patrol Regional Operations Command North highlighted several factors contributing to the surge in gun violence, such as ghost guns, which are non-traceable firearms made from easily obtainable components that are purchased without background checks.
Additionally, a significant number of firearms have entered the community through gun shows, where individuals purchase weapons in bulk for subsequent resale.
Philadelphia law enforcement has adopted targeted strategies focusing on individuals driving gun crime or those at high risk of becoming victims.
“We don’t do fish in a barrel. We do it surgically,” McCarrick said, adding that gun arrests in 2023 have exceeded expectations and are likely to surpass the previous year’s figures.
According to Philadelphia police statistics, between 1999 and 2019, for every illegal gun seized by the Philadelphia police, nearly three more guns were legally bought or sold.
Additionally, during the height of the pandemic, gun ownership soared, with gun license issuances in Philadelphia surging from 7,400 in 2020 to almost 52,000 in 2021.
McCarrick was also concerned about the prevalence of illegal and makeshift firearms, which has led to deadly and unpredictable outcomes. He pointed to the trend of criminals equipping their guns with extended magazines and alterations that enhance their rate of fire, posing a greater risk to public safety.
Typically, one can convert a semi-automatic weapon into a fully automatic one using simple modifications known as machine gun conversion devices.
“Now they can take a semiautomatic with a piece of plastic and convert it to a fully automatic so you can fire with an extended clip in a matter of seconds, 50 rounds,” McCarrick explained.
The consequences of such proliferation are evident at crime scenes, with an increase in the number of fired cartridge casings (FCCs). Previously, a few casings would be found, but now the numbers can reach as high as 70. Coupled with a lack of formal training, criminals resort to spraying bullets indiscriminately, raising the potential for collateral damage.
While acknowledging some progress in addressing gun violence, McCarrick conceded that Philadelphia still has a long way to go.
In 2022, 2,273 people were shot in the city, a significant decrease from the previous year but substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. The majority of violence is concentrated in specific neighborhoods in North and West Philadelphia, although some incidents have occurred in affluent areas.
Philadelphia came under heavy scrutiny in 2021 when no arrests were made in three-quarters of fatal shootings, despite a significant increase in illegal gun-related arrests.
District Attorney Larry Krasner faced criticism, including a failed impeachment attempt, with opponents accusing him of exacerbating crime through progressive policies and mishandling cases.
To combat the gun crisis, the Philadelphia government has implemented various measures, including funding community groups, intervention programs and new curfew regulations.
However, Democratic Majority Whip and Councilmember Mark Squilla noted that while violence has slightly decreased, the city still faces significant challenges, such as carjackings and robberies, which hamper residents’ sense of safety and hinder economic growth.
In 2023, Philadelphia has witnessed 210 homicides, marking an 18% decrease compared to the previous year. Despite this decline, any level of violent crime is considered unacceptable.
A recent incident on July 3 involved a gunman wearing a bulletproof vest who opened fire in southwestern Philadelphia using an AR-15, resulting in four fatalities and injuries to two children.
Police Commissioner Danielle M. Outlaw stated that the motive behind the shooting remains unclear and investigations are underway.
The city has invested substantially in rehabilitative and diversionary programs, including alternative misdemeanor initiatives and Police-Assisted Diversion (PAD), but Squilla expressed concerns about the effectiveness of these programs due to inadequate enforcement, stressing the need for stronger mandates and consequences for noncompliance.
“If the people aren’t taking the diversion program or they’re not using the programs that are presented to them, we’re not coming down with the hammer at the end and saying you are now mandated to do these services,” Squilla explained. “We’re not saying if you don’t take a police diversion, then you will be charged with the crime. We’re not following all the way through, so we’re not really getting the results that I believe we should be getting by initiating these programs.”
Nevertheless, both Squilla and McCarrick acknowledged the positive impact of community engagement programs, like the Gun Violence Initiative (GVI), which specifically target high-risk individuals. They stressed the importance of cooperation and improved communication among the district attorney, police department, judicial system and city leadership to address the crisis effectively.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia continues to face challenges related to underfunded mandates and limitations imposed by state and federal gun laws. The COVID-19 pandemic and the state of the American economy have also exacerbated staffing issues in the city.
