The walking tour introduced preteens to the history in their own neighborhood — from abolition-era organizing to the messages still painted on today’s walls.
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
Neighbors and community organizers gathered at the Kensington Engagement Center to kick off Co-Creating a Greenprint for Kensington, a workshop series organized by NKCDC focused on expanding and improving safe public green spaces.
Police disperse Kensington Avenue encampment with no city services present, city doesn't know where people went
No city social services were present when police dispersed the encampments despite promises from city leaders that the initiative would be “service-led.”
Police line Allegheny Avenue early Wednesday morning after officers dispersed people on the 3000-3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue ahead of the planned encampment resolution clearing, which was set to start at 8 a.m. (Photo by Emily Rizzo)
Philadelphia Police Department officers dispersed people from Kensington Avenue early this morning as part of a planned encampment resolution process.
No city social services were present during that time, despite promises from city leaders that the initiative would be “service-led.” City officials said they don't know where people went and are "still trying to figure it out."
The encampment clearing was supposed to begin at 8 a.m., according to officials. Police officers arrived at approximately 5:30 a.m. according to department representatives.
Legal observers and harm reductionists said they witnessed unhoused individuals asking for city services before outreach workers had arrived.
“There was no one except the police,” said harm reduction advocate Eva Fitch. “Everyone was just asking, 'where are the vans? They said they would be here to pick me up.'”
Sammy Caiola is a reporter with a passion for community engagement and trauma-informed journalism. She previously served as WHYY’s gun violence prevention reporter and hosted podcasts about stop and frisk and sexual assault.
Emily Rizzo is the Accountability Reporter for Kensington Voice. She mostly covers the city’s response to the opioid and housing crises in Kensington, with a focus on how new policies and initiatives affect the community.
A Philadelphia school district official admitted the district has neglected Stetson’s building for decades. Students and educators questioned the district’s data and scoring of the school’s capacity.
Philadelphia school communities are pushing back against the district’s plan to close 20 schools. At Conwell Middle School, community leaders urged the district not to take resources away from the neighborhood.
Over 25% of West Kensington residents don’t have a high school diploma. Embedded advisers and support could help students overcome poverty and other systemic barriers, experts say.
