Kinsey hosts public safety meeting to discuss solutions to gun violence

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 29 – State Rep. Stephen Kinsey, D-Phila., hosted a public safety meeting last night to address solutions to the gun violence that is occurring in Philadelphia.

The meeting was held in partnership with U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila.; Councilmembers Cindy Bass, Cherelle Parker and Derek Green; State Reps. Isabella Fitzgerald, Darisha Parker and Chris Rabb, all D-Phila.; and State Sens. Art Haywood, D-Montgomery/Phila. and Sharif Street, D-Phila. 

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner were present as well as Police Inspector Jerreau Thomas, Police Captain Nicholas Smith of the 14th Police District and Captain Michael Zimmerman of the 35th Police District. There were also representatives from Governor Tom Wolf’s Office, Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s Office, and Mayor Jim Kenney’s office present to hear the potential solutions offered by the audience. Kinsey noted that the meeting was moderated by the Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, which helped the meeting flow smoothly along.

Roughly 400 community members attended the meeting with ideas and solutions to stop the gun violence in their communities. Some of the solutions presented were community policing, emphasizing skilled trades, teaching history in a different way, a citywide campaign against gun violence and better role models for children in the community.

“We had a great turnout, and our community members presented some great solutions,” Kinsey said. “We’re going to synthesize the information, put together a package, share it with the community and then present to the mayor and other city leaders in hopes that they understand the importance of this input from people who are most impacted.”