Spicy mayoral debate; Sheriff’s questionable money moves; Weekly gun violence brief | Morning roundup

Philadelphia mayoral debate was ‘must-watch TV’

The only televised debate between Democratic primary candidates for Philly mayor offered insights on policy, plus a glimpse of personality and character.

• Fox29 producers and hosts kept up a brisk pace and pressed each candidate for details on various issues, from Amen Brown’s past financial troubles to Jeff Brown’s alleged fundraising violations — which he called a “political hit job,” despite the involvement of the Philly Ethics Board.
   
• The potential downtown Sixers arena was another hot topic, with Helen Gym acknowledging a recent meeting with 76 Devcorp head David Adelman, and Jeff Brown saying he’s for it, but not because of any financial contribution. 

Inquirer pundits scored Cherelle Parker’s performance highest, followed by Rebecca Rhynhart, Allan Domb, and Gym. You can catch what OG blogger Philebrity called “must-watch TV” on YouTube here.

Take the Philly news and history trivia quiz

How much do you know about Philly? Dozens of people packed Pistolas Del Sur on a warm March evening for the latest BP Quizzo night.

• Team “Not Moyamensing Around” got the prize for best name, and the top score was earned by team “Rudy Giuliani and the Four Seasons,” who got 20/24 questions correct.

Without using Google, can you beat it? Test your mettle here.

RECAP: What else happened?

$ = paywalled

• Several hundred people attended last night’s “candidate convention” at WHYY and met the contenders for City Council at large. Only a few candidates “realistically have a shot of making it into the top five,” per an analysis of their fundraising so far. [WHYY/Billy Penn/Citizen]
   
• Records show Sheriff Rochelle Bilal — who is campaigning for reelection on a pledge to end “bad practices” — diverted funds intended to hire more deputies, instead using the money to give executive staff hefty raises. She also tried to double her own salary to $285k, more than the mayor makes ($240k). [Al Dia/Inquirer$/WHYY]
   
• Author and former Temple Law dean Joanne Epps has been named acting president of Temple University.
   
• Sportswise, the Sixers are riding high. Joel Embiid and James Harden made history with the NBA scoring and assist titles, respectively, Doc Rivers got one last “Coach of the Month” nod, and the playoffs start Saturday. The just-released hype video features a song by a South Philly musician. [AP/NBA/@sixers/6ABC]
   
• A map of all the restaurants referenced on “Abbott Elementary,” from chains like Dunkin’ Donuts and Chuck E. Cheese to local faves like Oscar’s Tavern and Burrata. [Eater]

Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)

We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting. 

• City cultural leaders say mayoral candidates should pledge to boost the role of film, music, and arts programs that focus on preventing violence and recidivism. [WHYY]
   
• A new study found little evidence to ground fears about continued crime in downtowns of New York, Chicago, Philly, and Seattle. Center City is “remarkably safe,” researchers said, compared to the rest of Philadelphia. [Brookings/Inquirer$]
   
• Many children in communities of color or with lower incomes in Philly grow up without any high-quality playgrounds close to their homes. Access to recreational spaces is thought to reduce risk of gun violence. [Kaboom/Appeal]
   
• The North Philly Narratives Network community and media meetup on Saturday is an opportunity for residents to share with journalists what’s going on in their neighborhoods, and for reporters to share how their process works. [Eventbrite]

By the numbers in Philadelphia

• 38: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 44 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
• 138: Average shootings victims per month over the first quarter of the year, down 18% from last year. [Open Data Philly via @PCGVR]
• 465: Shooting victims this year so far, down 18% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
• 116: Year-to-date homicides, down 10% vs. last year’s pace; up 51% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]

MAYOR WATCH: Apr. 12, 2023

Mayor Kenney first joins Supt. Watlington at school district HQ on North Broad for the 13th annual Autism Expo, offering resources and services for families (10 a.m.). He later heads further north to the Marie Dendy Recreation Center, to meet Council President Clarke and announce the installation of 100 new security cameras to create “safe play zones” around the city (1 p.m.). 

ON THE CALENDAR

🎾 BP Quizzo: Join us at Padelphia for a night of Philly trivia! Space is limited at this new-style racket club on the Schuylkill River near City Live Ave, so register early. BYO, plus we’ll have some snacks and sips, and prizes for the winners. (6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26)

🎺 Brass band Snacktime plays a free concert at the Village of Arts and Humanities in North Philly as part of Philly Celebrates Jazz month. (4 p.m. Friday, April 14)

🚣 Head out on the lakes at FDR Park with free kayaks and rowboats, available for 45-minute timeslots. The community boating days will repeat monthly through fall. (10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15)