Guides & Resources
Get arrested for drugs in Kensington? Here's a chart that explains the process.
A very long chart for a very long process.
Health & Wellness
Health news in Kensington, Philadelphia — covering the opioid crisis, addiction and recovery, mental health, harm reduction, healthcare access and food resources.
Accountability
Philly’s use of some opioid dollars for Kensington is “non-compliant,” per state trust. Future funding is in question.
The state trust that oversees the disbursement of opioid settlement dollars says Philadelphia improperly used $7.5 million on eviction prevention, home repair, and improvements to schools and parks.
Guides & Resources
Arts & Culture
Artist dedicates new Prevention Point Love Lot mural to son: “It doesn't have to be a ‘rock bottom.’ It's a positive sign of hope.”
Artist Victor Sgro, who is in recovery, said he hopes his mural inspires others who are still struggling with opioid addiction.
Accountability
As city leaders eye jail to clean up Kensington, Philly jails say they’re stretched too thin.
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
Philly police gave special access to Kensington church during encampment resolution after pushing out others
In the weeks since the city dismantled the Kensington Avenue encampment, legal observers, harm reduction advocates, and service providers are wondering why the police gave Christian volunteers more access than others.
Accountability
Philly health workers urge City Council to tackle “overwhelming increase” in Black overdose deaths
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
Kensington residents wonder if sweep, increased police presence will lead to lasting change in the neighborhood
Some residents feel safer, while others say the spillover from the sweep and increased police presence has caused problems on side streets.
Accountability
After Kensington encampment sweep, legal advocates, community brace for increased enforcement
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
Kensington encampment cleanup: “There’s a whole bunch of cops out here, but there’s nobody to help us”
When outreach workers arrived, the people staying in tents and structures on the 3000-3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue were gone.
Accountability
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.”
Accountability
What to know about Wednesday's “encampment resolution” on Kensington Avenue
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
Philly police lean on Kensington “chaplain squad” and “Christian facilities” to move people toward addiction treatment
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
Kensington poll workers, voters blame low voter turnout on fear, lack of knowledge
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.
Accountability
Parker administration announces five-phase Kensington plan despite care continuum that “doesn’t exist”
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.
Accountability
Pennsylvania law to improve sexual assault aftercare landscape remains unfunded
The law would create grants to assist hospitals in hiring Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners, or SANE nurses, but it remains unfunded by the state.
Accountability
Kensington’s new deputy police commissioner is launching a “temporary task force” to quell drug-related gun violence
Deputy Police Commissioner Pedro Rosario wants to send the Philadelphia Police Department’s “best out of the best” to Kensington
Accountability
‘Who falls through the cracks?’: Philly’s sexual assault exam system creates barriers for survivors, skirts state rules
State law requires Pennsylvania hospitals to provide rape kit exams on site. Still, Philly's three largest hospital systems have protocols for transferring sexual assault survivors to a facility that is co-located with law enforcement, receives no city funding, and is about $400,000 under budget.
Accountability
Mayor Parker’s five-year budget and strategic plan mentions Kensington 16 times. Here’s what it says.
The 761-page document mentions Kensington a total of 16 times – more than any other neighborhood, including Center City.
Accountability
Mayor Parker wants Kensington to know "help is on the way"
During the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Mayoral Luncheon last week, Mayor Cherelle Parker voiced her support for 7th District Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada and offered attendees another glimpse into her plans for Kensington.
La “Casa del Sol” de la Avenida Kensington abrirá a pesar de las amenazas de una represión en la reducción de daños
El espacio ofrecerá varios servicios, incluyendo prevención de violencia armada y sobredosis, y un “centro de mensajes” donde la gente puede hacer y recibir llamadas y recolectar mensajes de casa.
Small Business
Kensington Avenue “Sunshine House” to open despite threats of harm reduction crackdown
The Sunshine House will offer various services, including gun violence and overdose prevention, and a “messaging center” where people can make and receive calls and collect messages from home.
Accountability
Harrowgate residents show their support for Philly police, Kensington caucus “triage centers” idea: “People have a real feeling of hope”
For some in Kensington and Harrowgate, the “triage” idea demonstrates “actions that match the gravity of our situation.”
Housing & Shelter
Last week’s “large, militarized police presence” was the attorney general’s office, not a Parker or Kensington caucus initiative
The operation was a drug and firearm seizure through the attorney general's office, according to spokesperson Brett Hambright.
Community Life
Philly health commissioner, a leading voice in city’s opioid efforts, to step down after three-year post
In a statement released on Friday, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole announced she is stepping down from her post effective Feb. 15.