Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said police will increase enforcement for drug-related activity as early as Monday in an effort to implement Mayor Cherelle Parker’s new policing initiative aimed at shutting down Kensington’s open-air drug market.
Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Department of Prisons has said it’s stretched too thin to deliver timely, high-quality care for the 4,700 people incarcerated in Philadelphia’s jails daily – a majority of whom have a substance use disorder – let alone a potential influx from Kensington.
So, what exactly happens when someone gets arrested for drug possession in Kensington? This chart explains how it works, according to the various offices involved in the process:
Sammy brings a trauma-informed, community-engaged lens to police accountability and public health coverage—from her prior role as WHYY’s first gun-violence prevention reporter to her work hosting award-winning, survivor-centered podcasts.
The Norris Square Neighborhood Profile, released in July, explored rising housing costs and other shifts in the neighborhood. This resource list points residents to support.
