New Philadelphia mayor declares crime emergency first day in office

Philadelphia Democratic Mayor Cherelle Parker declared crime a public safety emergency her first day in office through an executive order that calls on the city's police department to "vigorously enforce" existing laws and for officials to develop a plan to increase the number of police officers.

Parker, Philadelphia's 100th mayor and the first female, took over the office from former Mayor Jim Kenney when she was formally inaugurated Tuesday. 

"In our first 100 days, my administration will announce specific plans to increase the number of Philadelphia police officers on our streets—with a focus on community policing citywide," Parker said in her inaugural address. "We must rebuild trust between Police and the communities they serve. Our officers must be guardians, not warriors."

Former Mayor Jim Kenney, Parker's predecessor, was criticized for a rise in crime rates under his watch as he oversaw major criminal justice reform measures such as banning traffic stops for minor offenses.

Crime increased more than 11% from 2022 to 2023 and more than 23% from 2021 to 2022, according to Philadelphia Police Department Data, 

In declaring crime a public safety emergency via an executive order, Parker directed the police commissioner and other city officials to "develop a comprehensive plan within 100 days for increasing the number of police officers conducting patrol operations." 

The order also calls on officials to create a "near-term public safety plan" to reduce violent crime rates, combat property crimes and "permanently shut down all pervasive open-air drug markets." These are markets that operate in specific areas at certain times so buyers and sellers can easily find each other. 

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