Kenney Bans Guns At Philly Rec Centers, Pools, Courts, Fields, More

PHILADELPHIA — After more than 200 gun violence incidents at Philadelphia parks and recreation facilities since 2019, Mayor Jim Kenney signed an executive order banning firearms at Philadelphia Parks & Recreation properties.

The order was signed Tuesday morning, and Kenney was joined by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell for the signing.

It bans guns and other deadly weapons from City recreation facilities, including rec center buildings, courts, fields, playgrounds, and pools.

The order comes on the heels of former PPR employee Tiffany Fletcher being killed by a stray bullet on Sept. 9 as she worked at a playground.

Makie Jones, 14, has been charged with murder firearm crimes, possession of a firearm by a minor, and recklessly endangering another person in connection with her death.

She was 41 and a mother of three who worked at the Mill Creek Recreation Center.

"It is unconscionable that anyone would bring deadly weapons where our city’s children gather to play," said Mayor Jim Kenney. "We will not tolerate the endangerment of children and families while they are in the care of our treasured community spaces, and we must do everything we can to protect the public, as well as the dedicated staff that make these facilities run. Banning guns from indoor and outdoor recreational facilities throughout our city is a critical step to protecting our public spaces and preventing the senseless violence that claimed Tiffany Fletcher’s life."

Since 2019, nearly 200 reported incidents of gun violence have occurred at Philadelphia recreation facilities, in addition to dozens of other incidents of violence with a deadly weapon.

Clear signage about the weapons ban will be posted across the City's 159 recreation centers.

The firearms and deadly weapons ban applies to active recreation spaces—including buildings, courts, fields, playgrounds, and pools.

Exceptions exist for law enforcement and certain security professionals.

"Parks & Recreation staff work tirelessly in service to the children and families of our city,” said Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “We are banning weapons from recreation facilities to protect the children and families of Philadelphia, and our treasured staff, from gun violence and to restore a sense of safety to our playgrounds, pools, recreational courts, fields, and rec centers."

The city encourages anyone with information about acts of violence to call police at 215-686-8477. Reports can be made anonymously.

The full Executive Order is available online here.