Hundreds of community members and residents gathered at Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School Wednesday night to ask questions and get some clarity and support following Friday night’s fatal crash of a medical transport jet next to the Roosevelt Mall.
First, Mayor Cherelle Parker gave an update on the status of the investigation and response, as well as an update on surrounding businesses and homes, and crash victims.
During her opening remarks, Parker reaffirmed the number of casualties and injuries from the crash.
“With that in mind, I want to note that seven people died in this incident,” she said. “Six people, of course, were on the Learjet that crashed.”
Parker added there has since been information on the person who died in a car that was near the site of the crash. The police have identified the victim as 37-year-old Steven Dreuitt of Philadelphia.
She added that “24 people and counting” have been hospitalized. Four still remain in the hospital – two are stable and two remain in critical condition.
Parker said a lot of roads and businesses have reopened since the crash.
“Cottman Avenue … has been reopened to traffic as of rush hour last night,” she said. “The Roosevelt Mall – it is slowly opening for business and some of the businesses, they were open as of noon today.”
Parker added that schools remain open, but the School District of Philadelphia will excuse late arrivals for now.
Previously, Parker had told community members to refrain from donating online as the city wanted to be sure those seeking donations were a “safe and vetted vehicle.” She announced at the town hall that the city has created the “One Philly Fund” as a trusted way for fellow residents to provide direct assistance to victims of disaster.
“It will initially provide direct support to victims of the plane crash incident on Friday,” she said. “And you can now visit the website in a safe way; it’s now accepting donations.”
Officials are also directing residents and those wanting to help to a multi-agency resource center that is available for those affected by the crash starting Thursday, Feb. 6, from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
Agencies including the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Pennsylvania Insurance Department and PennDot will set up shop there to serve as a “one-stop shop” to answer questions and provide assistance in the aftermath of the crash.
For mental health, Parker and others encouraged community members to call the city’s 988 mental health hotline.
“If you need assistance, we have services available through the city’s Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbilities,” she said. “That hotline number is 988.”
She said the shelter at Samuel Fels High School, which opened in the immediate aftermath of the crash, is now closed. For anyone still needing housing help, Parker said, the American Red Cross is the most valuable resource.
“You can reach them at 1-800-RED-CROSS for help,” she said.
Following a press conference on Monday, Parker’s spokesperson Joe Grace said 343 residential properties were impacted by the plane crash, in addition to commercial properties and others.
Parker encouraged those who were affected to contact the American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania to connect with resources. She said they can help residents file a claim and assign a case manager.
“You don’t have to do it by yourself,” she said. “Why is this important for me to affirm? We’ve talked with senior citizens, and sometimes when we go about our days on a daily basis, and because our smartphones are with us at all times, we think it’s natural for everyone to just connect to the internet and be online to get access to the completion of forms and other information. That is not the case.”
Parker said the Department of Commerce is working to help businesses affected by the crash. She said in addition to physical damage to properties, there are power outages and other damages that may keep businesses out of commission, which could affect employees’ paychecks.
Parker said the City of Philadelphia has also established an emergency relief grant that can “provide up to $20,000 to businesses facing hardship due to this incident.” She added the city is also working with the Federal Small Business Administration to activate an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, and receive more money.
Parker added it is especially important for children to receive any mental or physical healthcare they need as well. She said there are various resources available to help.
“Children are grieving,” she said. “And we need to make sure that they too have access to the mental and behavioral health supports that are needed during this time. So please connect with the Center for Grieving Children, our Department of Human Services and/or our Family and Community Engagement.”
Residents respond
Residents were invited to ask questions during the town hall segment of the evening after Parker and various other city officials discussed resources and efforts. Many residents and community members were directly connected to members of the Parker and city’s teams to resolve issues as they were brought up.
Several residents expressed their need for immediate resources. One resident, who said his child and daughter-in-law live 30 feet from where the plane crashed, added it’s hard to get immediate help.
“The services they offer, it’s not right now,” he said. “You ask them [the government] for the services and it takes time. Everything takes paperwork and has to be identified, but they are homeless right now.”
Parker emphasized there had been immediate housing available at the Samuel Fel shelter and now through the Red Cross. However, other residents still mentioned that things like housing, food vouchers and other resources were not as readily available.
Sandra Harmon is a resident who lives further from where the crash occurred. She said 24-7 services for those impacted by the crash would be beneficial.
“We have heard about trauma and behavioral health, but I haven’t heard about 24-hour services because we see a lot during the day, we hear a lot during the day, but it’s at night when I hear the planes flying over my house or, in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep, my appetite is gone,” she said. “Everybody’s life has been turned upside down.”
Parker responded by encouraging anyone needing immediuate help with a mental health issue should call 988, which is available around the clock.
Brandon Wilson is with the Philadelphia Fire Department. He also said there are community action teams helping residents who feel unsafe re-entering their homes.
“We have our community action teams on location from 8 a.m. to 11 o’clock at night,” he said.
He said those who need to get in their home and feel unsafe can call 267-250-8046.
Some residents brought up concerns about various changes in the community.
Pearl Huynh is with the Northern Philadelphia Chinese Association. She expressed concerns about a closed branch of the Free Library in the community that was being used by the FBI for its investigation, and she emphasized the importance of libraries for community members.
“But leave something the community needs for the people around the area,” she said.
Adam Thiel is the City of Philadelphia’s Managing Director. He responded to Hunyh’s question, emphasizing both the importance of the library to the investigation, but also the community.
“It was needed and we recognized, Pearl, how important the library is, which is why we, as soon as we could, as soon as everything we know about [the crash] was collected, we got out of there and turned the library back to the community,” he said. “I also want to say our libraries are also being used as warming centers during this extreme cold weather, so we know the work that they do and we hope we’ll never have to use the library again for this purpose.”
Other residents expressed concerns about debris at structures around the crash. Thiel emphasized that although search and rescue task force members have done “multiple, thorough searches” of surrounding property, it is possible that residents and business owners may find more.
“If you find any debris, do not touch it,” he said. “Do not touch it, including if you’re a cleanup contractor or anything else. If you find debris, and it is entirely possible, and in fact likely, that some folks might. If it looks like it’s a mechanical piece of debris, then you can go to NTSB.gov and there’s a way to report that. The easier thing to do is just call 911.”
Other residents discussed concerns about unauthorized personnel entering their homes or unauthorized contractors coming to the area.
Parker emphasized the importance of making sure city employees have a valid ID.
“Don’t open your door to anyone who doesn’t show you identification,” she said. “Even if they have a shirt on that says it is a City of Philadelphia employee, they will have identification affirming who they are.”
Community matters
Other city officials reaffirmed the importance of community and various agencies that have helped during this time.
Thiel thanked all of the officials and first responders who have helped the relief and recovery efforts. He emphasized the difficulties these groups experienced as well.
“They are hurting too,” he said. “We are hurting too. I am hurting too. The absolute worst thing for any of us who have raised our hands and dedicated to risk our lives to save others are those times when we simply can’t.”
He said that although the process will be hard, he is confident in Philly’s resilience and community-oriented nature.
“This recovery process is going to be difficult,” he said. “It’s going to be complex. It’s going to be long. It is not going to be easy.”
Thiele mentioned the Super Bowl in his closing remarks, and was welcomed with a renowned “Go Birds” from the audience. He used this as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of community.
“It is important that even in the wake of this tragedy, that we remember those things that bind us together, keep our eye on the prize, stay positive because we are going to need to continue to lift each other up and help each other through this,” he said.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel said he has been in disbelief following the plane crash.
“I’ve been in this space for almost 40 years,” he said. “And I have never ever seen this in my lifetime.”
Bethel emphasized the importance of community during this time and thanked his staff for their help following the crash.
Fire Department Commissioner Jeffery Thomson echoed these sentiments – emphasizing the connection and community that is necessary to get through this tragedy.
“I say that everyone in the city government is part of my team,” he said. “And everyone in Philadelphia is also a part of my team.”Businesses that have property damage or difficulty operating because of the road closures can contact the city’s Commerce Department at 215-683-2100 or business@phila.gov.
