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SEPTA to install ‘anti-terrorism’ AI gun detection technology
By January, SEPTA plans to install artificial intelligence technology on 1% of its security cameras in an attempt to reduce gun violence on subway platforms.
- Called ZeroEyes AI, the tech doesn’t include facial recognition, per its Conshohocken-based provider. It’s a DHS-designated anti-terrorism service, which brings reduced liability if anything goes wrong.
Jordan Levy has details on SEPTA’s planned pilot, which doesn’t yet have defined metrics for success.
A guide to 26 holiday markets and pop-ups in Philadelphia
If you’re looking to buy local in Philadelphia this season, you’re in luck: there are more than two dozen holiday markets and pop-ups around the city.
- Whatever you’re looking for — candles, plants, home decor, bath and body products, art, clothes, jewelry, ornaments, pickles — you’ll be able to find something for nearly everyone on your list.
Asha Prihar has a guide to 26 opportunities to support the local economy as you complete your holiday shopping.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
- A third and fourth bus from Texas arrive this morning in Philadelphia, dropping off an expected 80 more asylum seekers. Each busload of people, who have already been screened by Border Patrol, has been offered emergency services and help getting to their destinations — most often outside of Philly. [Inquirer$/@XimenaReports/Billy Penn/Phila Gov]
- Councilmember Curtis Jones introduced legislation that would exempt the Cobbs Creek golf course developers from tree-cutting restrictions. [Grid]
- First a rogue raccoon, now a collapsed ceiling: The Chestnut Hill Library will be closed indefinitely as it undertakes a pile-on of repairs. [Chestnut Hill Local$]
- Check out photos from Philly’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, with cute balloons, homey floats, local celebs, and nothing pretentious. [Billy Penn]
- Tabachoy, a Filipino food cart known for its take on a cheesesteak, is opening a brick-and-mortar near 9th and Montrose in Bella Vista this December. [Philly Mag$]
- Eagles Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, and Jordan Mailata’s Christmas album drops its first single today, a cover of “White Christmas.” The team will be on field Sunday night wearing all black — including the new all-black helmets. [@aphillyspecialchristmas/Mediaite/PhillyVoice]
The story you didn’t read
? Highlighting good BP articles few people clicked on ?
- Why do Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving balloons get inflated in the wee hours on a dark street? It’s the opposite of NYC’s holiday eve party in Central Park, but it allows more flexibility in case of inclement weather. [Billy Penn]
What are we thankful for this year? You. Billy Penn readers inspire us to ask hard questions, follow funny stories, and collect and parse information that makes life better for all Philadelphians .
Heads up: On Giving Tuesday, our nonprofit newsroom will be participating in NewsMatch, the largest collaborative fundraising campaign of its kind in the U.S. — with a fun local twist. Feel free to kick in a few dollars now, and tell us why you value local journalism! As always, thank you for reading.
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
- Meet the Philly artists reimaging drill music, a trap-adjacent genre known for glorifying drug use and violence. “I’m trying to change the narrative,” said one rapper. [WHYY]
- Last November, City Council set aside $500k for relocation services for gun violence victims and survivors. A year later, organizations say they haven’t received these funds. [NBC10]
- The Young Chances Foundation is continuing its longterm violence prevention plan, which includes community gardens, free clothing, basketball hoops, and cleanups. [WHYY]
- A report from Temple University’s Violence Reduction Task Force recommended expanding escorts and ambassadors for off-campus students, and engaging in citywide collaborations, including its partnership with the PPD. [Temple News]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 27: Shooting victims recorded last week so far, vs. 45 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 2,123: Shooting victims this year, 1% ahead of last year’s pace. [PCGVR]
- 469: Year-to-date homicides, 6% down from last year’s pace; up 62% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Mayor Kenney has nothing public today after spending yesterday morning helping kick off the Thanksgiving Day Parade and speaking to the volunteers at MANNA, who delivered more than 4,000 holiday meals to Philadelphians in need.
ON THE CALENDAR
?? BP Quizzo is back! Join us at Padelphia on the Schuylkill River across from Manayunk. We’ll have three rounds of local trivia, drinks, snacks, prizes — and a chance to find out more about the apparently trendy racket sport called Padel. Free RSVP here. (7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15)
??♀️Love getting dressed up and cycling around town? “A Proper Ride” meets at 30th Street Station and ends at a pub, with prizes for great looks. (2:15 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3)
? The Painted Bride hosts a multidisciplinary show called “Tagong Yaman,” which combines dance, martial arts, theater, film, and soundscores to tell the story of Filipinos in the U.S. Tix are pay what you can. (3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4)
