A third of Philly’s police watchdog board resigns in protest
Three of the nine commissioners on the city’s year-old Citizens Police Oversight Commission resigned yesterday, citing internal dysfunction.
- It’s been a rough first year for the CPOC, which was created to replace the powerless Police Advisory Commission. A ballot question meant to ease hiring was voted down during the May primary.
Jordan Levy obtained the board vice-chair’s resignation letter, in which she writes: “It has become abundantly clear to me that this commission is dysfunctional, toxic, and unable to function as needed.”
‘Angel Dose’ documentary reflects on COVID in Philadelphia
During the pandemic, Philly nurse Tarik Khan rushed to deliver expiring vaccines to homebound residents, as officials lacked an organized response.
- The documentary short “Angel Dose” follows Khan on his journey — navigating Philly streets, untangling public health infrastructure, and running for a Pa. House seat, which he won.
What lessons might we learn from the award-winning film about our city and ourselves? BP deputy editor Heather Chin recaps five takeaways.
RECAP: What else happened?
$ = paywalled
• In its first month, the new PPA bike patrol issued over 300 tickets to cars parked in lanes. The fine is $76 in Center City and UCity, and $51 in South Philly. [KYW]
• It’s not your imagination: Philly skies got hazier the past couple of days. Blame Canadian wildfires. [CBS3]
• A new local media outlet called VozColectiva Newsroom aims to address the lack of Latina representation and resources in U.S. media. (Y aquí en español.) [Billy Penn x 2]
• After nearly three decades, the giant game board pieces in Thomas Paine Plaza are being removed. It’s part of an overhaul of the space outside MSB. [PhillyVoice/Phila Gov]
• Why didn’t the Phillies play on Memorial Day? Blame a computer, as the MLB lets a holiday audience slip away. [Billy Penn]
Weekly brief on gun violence prevention (with PCGVR)
We publish this report each week in partnership with the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.
• “Can science stop shootings?” Yes, posits a new PBS video explainer, which features PCGVR’s Jessica Beard, community advocate Zarinah Lomax, and Penn prof Sarah Jacoby on addressing gun violence as a public health issue. [YouTube]
• Temple senior Andrew Ankamah, who founded The Accountability Initiative to advocate for gun violence awareness in schools, won a $20k McDonald’s USA award and will be featured in a national ad campaign. [Temple]
• The Office of Violence Prevention has been around since 2017 — and done “…what, exactly?” asks Inquirer columnist Helen Ubiñas, in a piece dissecting her paper’s reporting on management of anti-violence grants and the backlash from some community leaders. [BP 2018/Inquirer$ x 3]
By the numbers in Philadelphia
- 49: Shooting victims recorded last week, vs. 37 the week prior. [City Controller via @PCGVR]
- 727: Shooting victims this year so far, down 19% vs. this time last year. [PCGVR]
- 174: Year-to-date homicides, down 14% vs. last year’s pace; up 41% vs. five years ago [Philly Police]
MAYOR WATCH
Busy day for Philly’s 99th mayor.
Philadelphia’s Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility was named in honor of two wardens killed at Holmesburg Prison, and Kenney visits the facility for a 50th anniversary memorial (11 a.m.). He swings out to PHL Airport to celebrate 25 years of the local art program there (1 p.m.), and then cuts back to Project Home HQ in North Philly to recognize a grant for recovery housing (2 p.m.).
Kenney’s public day finishes with a ribbon cutting on the $1.6M Rebuild renovation of the at Cobbs Creek Nature Playground (3:30 p.m.)
ON THE CALENDAR
👗 It’s catwalk time at Cherry Street Pier at this month’s First Friday night. Celebrate the talented artists and performers from SpArc Philly as they put their best foot forward at the SpArc Couture fashion show. (5-7 p.m. Friday, June 2)
🌷 Bask in the gorgeous almost-summer weather while exploring some of Philly’s loveliest gardens at the 2023 Gardens of Society Hill Tour. Tickets are $35 online or $40 at the door. (1-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, June 3-4)
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