Policing, courts and jails in Kensington, Philadelphia. Coverage of law enforcement, reentry programs, the justice system and how it affects the neighborhood.
A 46-year-old workforce program offers people starting over after prison or homelessness a paycheck, a routine, and a shot at what comes next.
Accountability
After a four-day trial in federal court, a jury found the city violated Louis Jung Jr.’s constitutional right to medical care while incarcerated and awarded the family $1.67 million in damages.
Friends of the Children offers families a commitment that the program will be there in a child’s life from kindergarten through high school graduation — “12+ no matter what,” they say.
Arts & Culture
Voters turned out with the hopes of retaining Pennsylvania's Supreme Court Justices, and some were inspired by New York’s history-making mayoral election.
Guides & Resources
Voting in Pennsylvania? Here’s everything you need to know about your rights.
Kids in Kensington
Fab Youth Philly’s Play Captains program empowers Kensington teens by paying them to lead educational play for younger children and helping them build job skills for the future, despite challenges like neighborhood safety.
Guides & Resources
A free series includes weekly workshops running through December 13th, covering a range of housing topics–from local organizing to statewide housing policy–focused on creating “affordable and accessible” housing. All workshops are held at the Kensington Engagement Center.
Community Life
From South to North Philadelphia, resilient residents shared the hopes and fears of the Latine community. Their concerns range from gun violence and economic disparities to aspirations for education and the pursuit of a better future.
Accountability
Kensington Voice collected and verified data on 87 people who were arrested during the first months of the program and tracked their journeys through the court. Most ended up with Wellness Court bench warrants after the city lost contact with them.
Neighborhood Voices
September was National Recovery Month. Luis Soto shares his journey to sobriety and how working with others has helped him heal.
Small Business
At Martin's Deli, staff maintains the community feel established by family owners who came before.
Immigration
A new audit from the Citizens Police Oversight Commission finds Philadelphia police officers aren’t always keeping their body worn cameras on during vehicle stops. The commission calls the finding a “major concern”.
Accountability
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s administration plans to allocate more to Riverview than to all other opioid settlement money initiatives combined.
Housing & Shelter
The ongoing story of one mother's agonizing journey with Pa.'s mental health care system
Public Space
A new public art installation “A Better World Is Possible," repurposes firearms and aims to foster resilience and healing for Kensington residents impacted by gun violence.
Public Space
The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office is charging 35-year-old Edgardo Rivera with felony drug possession with intent to deliver, among other crimes – including 11 counts of misdemeanor weapons offense.
Immigration
A judge sentenced former Philadelphia Police Officer Mark Dial on Thursday to no further prison time after he was convicted of voluntary manslaughter for his role in the 2023 killing of Eddie “Junito” Irizarry Jr.
Housing & Shelter
The 2025 Norris Square Neighborhood Profile sought to capture information on the area’s population, quality of life, and economic status and spark dialogue among community leaders and residents.
Accountability
Funding is allocated to expand the administration’s Kensington Wellness Court pilot from one to five days a week.
Arts & Culture
The Special Committee on Kensington, made up of council members Quetcy Lozada, Mark Squilla, Mike Driscoll, Nina Ahmad, Curtis Jones
Accountability
Philadelphia Police Department officer Mark Dial, who shot and killed 27-year-old Eddie Irizarry during a traffic stop in
Accountability
The bill would authorize police and crisis lines to initiate a 302 — an involuntary psychiatric hold of up to 120 hours for people considered a danger to themselves or others.
Accountability
The bill, which would ban mobile services from most of the 7th District, is up for a final vote on Thursday.
Accountability
The national loss of funding for violence intervention programs will drastically impact local anti-violence initiatives and the communities they serve.
