►
Description
Proposing an amendment to The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter providing for the creation of the Office of the Victim Advocate, and providing for the submission of the amendment to the electors of Philadelphia.
A
Good
afternoon,
everyone
good
afternoon,
everyone
I
want
to
thank
all
of
you
for
being
here
with
me
today,
and
our
council
chambers
I've
called
this
press
conference
to
announce
that
I
will
be
introducing
this
Thursday
and
city
council
chambers.
A
piece
of
legislation
that
will
create
a
new
office
called
the
office
of
victim
advocate
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
I
want
to
first
and
foremost
thank
my
colleagues
for
joining
me
on
the
thing
councilman
Katherine
killed.
A
A
I
also
want
to
take
a
moment
to
acknowledge
our
miss
Felicia
Pendleton,
who
runs
the
organization
called
mothers
United
by
angels,
miss
Aleta
Garcia,
who
you
will
hear
from
who
runs
a
national
homicide,
justice
alliance
and
she's
also
a
co-chair
of
the
Subcommittee
on
victims
and
Co
victims
of
gun,
violence
on
the
special
committee
on
gun
violence
and
all
someone
acknowledged.
Mrs.
Dorothy,
Johnson
spike
found
of
mothers
in
charge
who's
the
co-chair
of
victims
and
Co
victims
of
Subcommittee
on
gun
violence,
and
also
and
acknowledge
mr.
A
The
New
Philadelphia
victim
advocate
will
offer
as
a
hub
for
crime,
victim
survivors
and
others
affected
by
crime.
The
office
functions
would
include
coordination,
planning
and
oversight.
I
am
calling
for
the
creation
of
this
new
office
within
the
city
of
Philadelphia
to
work
on
system-wide
issues
affecting
victims
and
Co
victims
of
crime
and
gun
violence
that
is
have
frakkin
nature
of
Victim
Services
leads
to
a
lack
of
consistency
and
timing
of
outreach
and
services,
provided
the
new
office
of
victim
advocate
is
long
overdue.
A
Here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
the
creation
of
this
office
was
among
the
recommendations
I
heard
from
Philadelphia's
doing
recently
hearing
it's
conducted
by
City
Council,
Special
Committee
on
gun
violence
in
which
I
chair
to
examine
the
effect
of
gun,
violence
among
victims
and
Cove
victims,
as
well
as
the
resources
available
to
them.
I
am
the
chairman
of
that
subcommittee
and
I
am
committed
to
making
sure
that
victims
have
a
voice
at
the
table.
A
The
council
appearance
on
the
impact
of
gun
violence
has
given
the
victims
and
Co
victims
of
gun
violence,
a
chance
to
voice
their
concerns
and
discuss
what
resources
the
city
of
Philadelphia
are
providing
to
support
them.
That
hearing
took
place
approximately
two
weeks
ago
in
this
very
same
chamber
that
we
are
here
today
that
we
are
in
today,
and
we
heard
the
victims
and
Cove
victims
and
families
of
gun,
violence,
voices
loud
and
clear.
A
It
is
no
mistake
that
I'm
introduced
legislation,
this
Thursday,
during
the
same
time
that
our
budget
hearings
will
be
taking
place
regarding
the
2000-2001
multi-billion
dollar
operating
budget
proposal
and
that,
as
a
part
of
that
budget
process,
I
will
advocate
to
make
sure
that
there
is
funding
available.
If
this
legislation
is
approved
by
the
voters
in
which
will
vote
on
this
ballot,
question,
which
will
be
in
the
November
2000
2000
election
and
I
want
to
make
sure
that
this
ballot
question
once
it's
approved
and
this
office
is
created.
A
It
has
the
necessary
funding
to
start
immediately.
Our
murder
rate
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
is
too
high
and
victims
in
an
official
advocate
within
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
to
make
sure
that
their
voices
are
heard.
As
of
March,
2nd
64
people
have
been
the
victims
of
homicides
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
a
25
percent
increase
compared
to
the
same
time
in
2019.
A
According
to
statistics,
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
Police
Department
website
the
2019
foot
up
quit
356
homicides
that
total
marked
the
highest
homicide
count
over
a
decade
and
was
higher
than
353
home
asides
recorded
in
2008.
Seen
almost
all
those
homicides
were
committed
with
firearms,
and
people
of
color
are
disproportionately
likely
to
be
victims
or
code
victims
of
gun
violence,
in
addition
to
those
being
murdered
in
our
city.
There
were
also
more
than
1,400
non-fatal
shootings
here
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
A
The
victims
of
violence
often
suffer
long-term
disability,
including
paralysis,
organ
malfunction
and
chronic
pain,
and
so
it's
important
that
we
advocate
and
make
sure
that
individuals
who
work
in
this
field,
which
we
call
boots
on
the
ground
organization,
specifically
working
to
support
those
who
are
victims
and
advocates
and
survivors
of
gun
violence.
We
want
to
make
sure
they
have
the
necessary
support
that
they
need.
A
We
talk
about
gun
violence,
we
talk
about
crime,
have
a
voice
at
the
table
when
we
talk
about
policy
and
resources
and
that's
the
family
members
of
those
who
are
who
have
been
victims
of
gun
violence
and
those
who
are
victims
of
crime
before
I
turn
it
over
to
the
people
who
are
most
important.
Regarding
the
advocacy
around
on
this
particular
topic.
I
do
want
to
say
that
we
have
the
support
of
the
Commonwealth
Pennsylvania
victim
advocate
Jennifer
storm.
A
She
has
endorsed
on
the
creation
of
this
new
position
the
Pennsylvania
offers
the
victim
advocate
was
established
in
1995
and
diligently
works
to
provide
victims
of
crying
with
notifications,
support
and
advocacy
advocacy
advocacy
services.
Miss
storm
was
unable
to
join
us
today
for
this
press
conference,
but
she
also
sent
the
official
statement
regarding
her
support
for
the
creation
of
this
new
office.
I
am
I
also
acknowledge
mr.
A
Michael
Lee,
who
also
came
I'm
here,
to
be
present
on
for
the
District
Attorney's
Office
regarding
this
press
conference,
and
we
want
to
work
with
all
city
stakeholders
on
regarding
not
only
the
creation
of
this
new
office,
but
also
the
collaboration
and
partnership
with
the
various
agencies.
They
have
jurisdiction
over
those
who
are
victims,
Cove
victims
and
survivors
of
gun,
violence,
and
so
for
me,
this
issue
isn't
about
politics.
A
Most
people
who
know
that
I've
been
doing
this
work,
proud
of
me
becoming
a
council
person
starting
in
1998
when
a
cousin
of
mine
was
rooted
in
the
streets
of
South,
Philadelphia
and
so
I've
been
a
lifelong
advocate.
I'm
addressing
the
issue
of
gun
violence,
but
I
also
know
we
talk
about.
This
issue
is
very
very
important
that
the
victims
Cove
victims,
survivors
of
gun
violence.
If
family
members
they
have
a
seat
at
that
table
and
oftentimes.
They
don't
to
be
quite
frank
with
you,
but
through
the
Special
Committee
on
gun
violence.
B
Good
afternoon,
I
want
to
first
of
all
thank
councilman
Kenyatta
Johnson
for
this.
This,
as
was
stated,
is
long
long
overdue.
I
found
it
in
mothers
in
charge
almost
17
years
ago
and
had
been
wanting
to
see
something
like
this
put
in
place
for
that
long,
because
I've
heard
from
the
victims
for
that
number
of
years,
who
felt
that
they
didn't
have
a
voice
that
no
one
cared
I.
Remember
when
my
son
was
murdered,
I
kept
thinking
that
someone
from
the
city
would
come
and
extend
something
a
service,
a
condolence
or
something
it
never
happened.
B
B
You
had
the
support
of
all
of
us
here,
because
we
feel
that
you
understand
firsthand
and
you're
showing
that
it's
not
just
about
words,
but
it's
about
actions,
and
this
action
today
speaks
loudly
about
your
concern
and
your
care
for
us
and
what
is
happening
in
the
City
of
Brotherly,
Love
and
sisterly
affection
with
over
sixty
some
murders
this
year.
So
thank
you
again
for
what
you're
doing.
We
really
appreciate
you.
Thank
you.
So
much.
A
Justice
alliance
also
co-chair
yes
of
the
Special
Committee
on
gun
violence
subcommittee,
chairwoman
of
the
Special
Committee
on
gun,
violence,
specifically
dealing
with
victims,
Cove
victims
of
gun
violence,
and
the
reason
why
it
has
to
be
acknowledged,
because
when
we
first
started
the
Special
Committee
on
gun
violence,
these
two
leaders
have
been
advocating,
but
most
importantly,
challenging
not
only
myself
but
my
peers
to
make
sure
that
we're
doing
everything
possible
to
make
sure
that
they
they
have
a
and
the
advocacy
has
a
voice
in
this
process.
So
I.
Thank
you
for
your
leadership
and
I.
A
C
Want
to
thank
councilman,
Kenyatta
Johnson
for
listening
to
the
victims,
I
agree
with
Dorothy
Johnson
spite
that
this
is
a
is
something
that
had
needs
to
happen.
I'm
glad
it
happened.
Now,
it's
a
good
day
in
Philadelphia,
knowing
that
someone
in
the
city
will
be
directly
responsible
for
advocating
for
victims.
The
District
Attorney's
Office
advocates
for
the
Commonwealth,
the
public
defender
advocates
for
the
defendant.
C
We
need
someone
to
advocate
for
us,
someone
that
will
understand,
and
the
people
standing
behind
me
have
worked
very
long
and
hard
to
get
to
where
we
are
now
and
we're
beginning
to
see.
Progress
in
the
city
and
I
really
want
to
thank
councilman
Kenyatta
for
leading
this
effort
and
for
making
the
changes
that
we
need
to
see
in
Philadelphia.
A
Another
part
of
this
conversation
is
regards
to
how
do
we
provide
support
services?
Funding
resources
for
the
organization
are
actually
out
there
on
the
ground
when
a
homicide
takes
place.
These
are
the
individuals
who
reach
out
to
the
family
when
there
is
trauma
inside
the
schools,
because
the
young
person
see
someone
get
murdered
like
we
recently
saw
I'm
up
in
and
in
North
Philadelphia,
who
goes
into
the
school
and
talk
to
the
children
I'm
going
to
bring
up
this
shine.
Sale
of
my
organization
called
a
mirror.
B
Hello,
everyone
thank
you
for
this
opportunity
to
talk.
This
is
an
exciting
day
and
I'm.
Looking
forward
to
how
we
work
together.
Ahmir
Healing
Center
works
with
community
members
and
different
different
facets.
Not
only
in
schools
blocks
homes,
the
office
of
victim
advocate
for
the
city,
as
we
gather
people
and
we
collaborate
together,
that
it
should
have
a
should
have
a
voice.
B
I
mean
I
mean
I,
am
in
awe
that
we
were
able
to
pull
something
together,
because
there
are
stakeholders
not
only
from
the
city
groups,
they're
stakeholders
that
are
funded
by
the
state,
they're
stakeholders
all
across
and
if
we
can
all
come
together
to
have
a
dialogue
that,
when
I
will
always
say,
equity
at
the
table
means
all
of
our
ideas,
our
resources
us
coming
together,
and
what?
If
we
had
those
parties,
could
we
save
a
city?
Could
we
save
a
race?
Thank
you.
A
Before
we
open
it
up
for
questions,
I
want
to
allow
a
gentleman
and
if
you
paying
attention
to
the
advocates
that
are
that
are
behind
me,
he's
actually
the
minority
on
their
standing
up
here
today
and
I
thought
it's
only
right
that
he
gets
acknowledged
because
often
times
I
mean
you
know,
women
have
been
leading
the
way
and
y'all
have
been
leading
the
way.
But
this
gentleman
and
unfortunately
he's
put
in
this
position
to
advocate
on
such
a
issue
has
been
stomping
the
grounds
on
the
streets,
and
he
will
tell
you
his
own
story.
Mr.
D
Afternoon
and
I
think
the
councilman
Kenyatta
Johnson,
when
we
was
here
for
the
hearing
I
can
now
see
that
it
wasn't
a
fruitless
I'm
hearing,
because
out
of
this,
we
now
have
this
organist
structure
that
is
coming
through
the
councilman
that
as
much
needed.
Oh
the
forth
day
for
this
month
would
be
18
months.
D
D
So
when
we
create
this
structure
that
is
being
created
here,
it
gives
us
an
opportunity
to
advocate,
on
behalf
of
our
loved
ones,
because
they're
not
here
to
advocate
for
themselves
as
duty
and
the
responsibility
we
owe
to
them
to
do
what
this
bill
is
calling
to
be
done
is
to
be
the
advocate
for
our
loved
ones.
That's
not
able
to
advocate
for
themselves,
I.
D
A
You
won't
really
fully
comprehend
the
courage
that
it
takes
to
keep
on
getting
up
and
and
moving
forward
and
fighting
the
good
fight
on
behalf
of
your
loved
ones
and
your
family
members
and
so
I
thank
all
of
them.
I'm
I
appreciate
them
for
being
out
at
this
time.
I
want
to
open
it
up
for
any
questions
from
the
press
and
thank
everyone
for
coming
out
here
today.
The
package
will
be
introduced
tomorrow
in
City
Council
session.
Again
it
will
be
on
the
November
ballot
on
the
same
time
at
the
presidential
election.
A
But
for
me
this
is
a
no
brainer.
These
advocates
have
also
educated
me
about
the
process.
We
want
to
look
at
Western
relationship
between
the
Homicide
Unit
and
the
feminine
reserve,
those
who
have
lost
their
lives
to
gun
violence
with
the
notification
process.
We
know
what
happens
on
the
state,
but
how
is
that
being
enforced
in
partnership
with
the
city
of
Philadelphia,
when
someone
takes
the
life
of
another
person
and
they
do
time
and
they
come
back
out
on
the
street-
is
that
family
properly
notified?
A
These
advocates
has
educated
me
on
why
this
office
is
so
important
to
make
sure
that
we're
advocating
on
behalf
of
them
and
making
sure
the
issues
are
properly
being
address,
and
so
with
that
being
said,
thank
everyone
for
being
here
any
questions
from
members
of
the
press,
if
not
I'll
turn
it
over.
Yes,
sir.
Yes,
sir.
A
Well,
first
and
foremost,
when
you
look
at
the
key
organizations
that
provide
services
around
Victim
Services,
we
want
to
look
at
organizations
that
receive
funding
from
the
city
of
Philadelphia.
I
can
I
can
name
at
least
six
off
the
top
of
my
head
that
received
funding
from
the
city
Philadelphia's
budget.
We
will
also
work
in
partnership
with
the
Philadelphia
Police
Department.
A
A
Yes,
yes,
yes,
and
now.
Yes,
thank
you.
Yes,
I'll
tell
you
why,
because
the
abacus
behind
me-
and
they
can
attest
this
to
themselves
when
we
talk
about
the
issue
of
criminal
justice.
This
is
such
a
broad
spectrum
of
issues
that
need
to
be
addressed.
Some
people
talk
about
violence,
Prevention's.
Some
people
talk
about
anti
violence
initiative.
A
A
This
specifically
zero
in
on
those
individuals
who
has
lost
loved
one's
gun,
violence,
those
have
been
severely
impacted
by
gun,
violence
and
those
who
are
victims
of
gun
violence
in
crime,
and
so
we
want
to
have
a
specific
area
that
we
want
to
zero
focus
in
on,
and
only
this
office
will
specifically
address
his
dad
issue.
Sure.
A
A
Can't
I
can't
speak
too
well,
one
I
wouldn't
say
they're
feeling
so
not
going
to
happen
to
represent
his
office
is
failing.
I
know
they
provide
victim
services.
The
same
with
the
city
of
Philadelphia
provide
victims
advocates
when
a
homicide
takes
place.
This
is
for
us
to
coat
the
Cortney
and
make
sure
that
everyone
is
on
the
same
page
when
it
comes
to
addressing
this
particular
issue.
So
we're
going
to
work
in
partnership
in
collaboration
with
the
District
Attorney's
Office,
but
also
the
foot
of
the
police
department,
has
a
role
to
play
as
well.
A
We
talked
about
the
homicide
clearance
freak
when
you
talk
about
the
victim
services
that
actually
takes
place
after
a
homicide
takes
place.
That's
what
the
police
department
as
well,
and
so
we
just
want
to
make
sure
that
we're
co-coordinating
all
those
services
together,
so
I,
wouldn't
say:
there's
a
failure,
well,
his
behalf
or
to
say,
or
the
police
would
have.
We
just
want
to
make
sure
we're
all
working
and
collaborating
together.
A
A
Yes,
yes,
yes,
I
will
say
this
Jeff.
Obviously
we
should
be
doing
much
much
more
right,
but
I
could
speak
to
the
work
that
I
have
done
as
a
council
person
to
the
Special
Committee
on
gun,
violence,
I
remember
when
I
first
created,
especially
on
gun
violence,
the
homicide
rate
was
clearance
rate
was
much
lower
than
much
much
lower
than
it
is
now
and
as
a
result
of
Aleta
Garcia
who's
standing
here
and
also
Miss
Dorothy.
A
They
advocated
around
this
issue
right
in
which
we
expanded
the
level
of
homicide,
detectives
and
the
Philadelphia
Police
Department,
which
we
believe
contributed
to
increasing
the
homicide
clearance
rate.
We
also
made
sure
that
we
increase
the
budget
for
the
office
of
violence
prevention,
which
now
we
have
price
intervention
teams
that
are
on
the
streets,
addressing
the
issue
of
gun
violence,
and
so
through.
The
committee
we've
advocated
through
city
council
and
a
variety
of
different
initiatives,
but
I
will
definitely
agree
with
you
Jeff.
A
We
should
be
doing
a
whole
lot
more
in
the
city
of
Philadelphia
when
it
comes
to
addressing
this
issue
of
gun
violence,
and
we,
where
the
guns
coming
from
that's
another
issue
we
need
to
address
as
well
with
that
being
said,
I
think
the
other
one
for
coming
out
here
today
and
to
all
the
advocates.
We
appreciate
you
and
we
want
to
be
here
with
you
all
along
the
way
as
we
address
this
issue.
Thank
you
very
much.
Vincent.