Guides & Resources
PA 211 Helpline: An under-sourced “resource” for returning citizens
As good as the PA 211 is in theory, in practice it needs more partnerships if it hopes to really help returning citizens.
Policing & Jails
Policing, courts and jails in Kensington, Philadelphia. Coverage of law enforcement, reentry programs, the justice system and how it affects the neighborhood.
Immigration
Ex-Kensington cop who targeted sex trafficking victims pleads guilty to sexually assaulting prepubescent children, women
The prosecution’s explanation that Patrick Heron, 54, is now required by law to register as a lifetime sex offender marked the end of an unexpectedly dramatic, hours-long hearing in a mostly empty courtroom at the criminal justice center.
Guides & Resources
Health & Wellness
Former Kensington cop sexually assaulted 48 women and children — 44 unidentified — many while on duty, prosecutors say
Patrick Heron, who faces over 200 sex crime charges, worked as a police officer for the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) for 24 years before resigning in 2019. During that time, Heron worked for the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 39th precincts, a spokesperson for the PPD said.
Community Life
Un ex policía de Kensington agredió sexualmente a 48 mujeres y niños - 44 no identificados-, muchos mientras estaba de servicio, según la fiscalía
Se insta a las víctimas y testigos que puedan tener más información sobre este caso a comunicarse con la Unidad
Accountability
A false account of a controversial killing takes Philly police ‘a hundred steps back’ from the community
Philly’s strategy for solving violent crime relies on the public’s trust. The police killing of Eddie Irizarry, 27, threatens to strain that trust even more.
Un relato falso de una muerte controversial aleja a la policía de Filadelfia “cien pasos” de la comunidad
Esta historia fue publicada originalmente por The Trace, una sala de redacción sin fines de lucro que cubre la violencia
Arts & Culture
In wake of Eddie Irizarry Jr.’s death, some blame McNesby, FOP for lack of police reform
On Thursday, community leaders pushed for increased police accountability and transparency. Some called for stronger leadership from Mayor Jim Kenney. Others focused on John McNesby, the president of Philly’s police union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP).
Arts & Culture
Hundreds gather to remember Kensington anti-violence leader and youth advocate, “neighborhood hero”
In one of his final conversations, Randolph "Primo" White told a friend, "When I die, people are gonna remember me because of all the good deeds that I’ve done; they gonna remember me in these streets – how I was.”
Guides & Resources
Where to donate and get free school supplies in Kensington
For Philadelphia students, the most recent academic year was a difficult one, with schools temporarily closing due to asbestos, responding
Accountability
Drug use, retail theft, and sanitation dominate public hearing in Kensington
On Tuesday night, more than 20 top City officials and residents testified about quality of life issues in Harrowgate and
Policing & Jails
Law enforcement arrests 175, seizes $1.4 million in street drugs, 27 guns in Kensington
On Monday, City officials and law enforcement officers shared the results of a three-day multiagency operation targeting the open-
Kensington residents asked the 7th District Council candidates several questions at our forum. Here’s what they had to say.
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
City Council District 7 candidates answer questions from the Kensington community
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
City Council District 7 candidate Quetcy Lozada answers questions from the Kensington community
There are two candidates running for Kensington’s City Council District 7 seat in the primary election on May 16.
City Council District 7 candidate Andrés Celin answers questions from the Kensington community
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
How Kensington high schools are preparing student voters for the primary election
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
We asked Philly’s mayoral candidates to write a managing director job description. Here’s what they said.
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
We asked Jimmy Deleon to write a job description for his managing director
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
We asked Allan Domb to write a job description for his managing director
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
Health & Wellness
PA Governor Josh Shapiro visits Kensington, announces new drug scheduling for xylazine
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro announced in Kensington on Tuesday plans for rescheduling two drugs currently affecting Philadelphia and other counties:
Los residentes de Kensington comentan en apoyo a las resoluciones de calidad de vida presentadas por el concejal Lozada
Esta historia es parte de nuestra serie Hey, City Hall! Somos nosotros, Kensington. ¿Tiene alguna pregunta para el gobierno de
Kensington’s Walgreens is closing, reducing the neighborhood’s access to medication and groceries
At about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, two police officers wheeled their bikes into the Walgreens at Kensington and Allegheny
Kensington residents comment in support of quality of life resolutions introduced by Councilmember Lozada
This story is part of our “Hey, City Hall! It’s us, Kensington” series. Do you have a question for
Dónde obtener suministros escolares gratuitos en Filadelfia (principalmente en el norte), además de dónde donarlos, también
Nota de la editora: Esta historia se publicó originalmente en inglés el 11 de agosto de 2022, y se actualizó