Government and policy news in Kensington, Philadelphia — city council, zoning, elections, public hearings and the decisions that shape the neighborhood.
Philly police ordered overdose vigil volunteers to move their tables from their setup near McPherson Square Library down to the street.
Accountability
The police oversight agency, known as CPOC, was created by a city ordinance in 2021 to improve transparency and accountability in policing.
Community Life
The event was hosted by District 7 Councilmember Quetcy Lozada's office.
Government & Policy
The event was sponsored by the Harrowgate Civic Association, Impact Services, Kensington Corridor Trust, and Ride Free.
Arts & Culture
We’ve pulled together a list of events and places where you can get free school supplies for your kids to prepare for the school year.
Accountability
During an exclusive interview on WHYY’s live talk show Studio 2, Mayor Cherelle Parker discussed policing Kensington’s open-air drug market and said the May 8 encampment sweep didn’t go exactly as planned.
Accountability
Local health experts emphasized system-wide challenges, ranging from 16-hour assessment wait times to a lack of coordination among service providers, shortages of medically monitored treatment beds, and insurance policy limitations.
Housing & Shelter
Streets were closed from Kensington Avenue to Emerald Street and Orleans to Somerset streets.
Health & Wellness
The medical services that the zoning exception would impact include HIV and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment, HIV medication, substance use treatment, and wound care.
Accountability
Several local schools are on the list.
Government & Policy
Police leaders and prosecutors provided additional details about the incident during a news conference Monday at PPD headquarters.
Guides & Resources
A very long chart for a very long process.
Accountability
Prison staff say the staffing shortage makes it impossible to deliver timely, high-quality care for the approximately 4,700 people incarcerated in Philadelphia’s jails daily – a majority of whom present with substance use disorder.
Accountability
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Bethel named gun violence and illegal drug activity as top priorities, plus other crimes “that have kept that community pretty much imprisoned for a long time.”
Accountability
The Philadelphia Police Academy’s entire graduating class – a total of 78 new officers – will patrol Kensington “24/7” starting June 18. Their deployment will increase the neighborhood’s police force by almost 200%.
Accountability
While open drug use in Kensington continues to make national headlines, Philadelphia health workers say the city’s Black residents are quietly overdosing from cocaine, opiates, and other substances at unprecedented rates inside their homes.
Accountability
Following an encampment sweep on the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue Wednesday, police have flooded the area, leading residents and activists to wonder when a law enforcement crackdown is coming
Accountability
On Wednesday, social service providers and police officers will tell people living in tents or makeshift structures on Kensington Avenue’s 3000 and 3100 blocks to relocate.
Accountability
In some cases, people are connected to long-term recovery programs at Christian facilities that don’t provide evidence-based care, including required unpaid labor or “work therapy.”
Health & Wellness
During Tuesday’s primary, the 7th and 33rd Wards, which include Fairhill, Harrowgate, and Kensington, remained the two wards with the lowest voter turnout in Philadelphia.
Guides & Resources
The April 23 race includes important Attorney General, State Auditor and Senate races. Oh yeah, and that Presidential thing
Guides & Resources
On April 23, Pennsylvanians will cast their votes for president, U.S. Senate, attorney general, and more.
Accountability
While Philly's police commissioner said the first phase will begin after an encampment sweep scheduled for May 8, the city’s managing director said “we don’t have enough beds” to offer those who need addiction treatment and related services.
Clean Streets
Ridgway, who founded Harrowgate Civic Association about 10 years ago, now serves as the group’s vice president.
