Public Safety Large Focus Of Mayor Parker's Budget Address

PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker Thursday delivered her first budget address, and a large focus of her address was related to public safety.

During the address, Parker announced $33 million in new investments in public safety, and said with the city's five-year strategic plan that overall public safety investments will top $600 million.

The fiscal year 2025 budget, which is proposed at $6.08 billion, includes hiring at least 400 new police officers yearly.

Additionally, 150 new radio patrol cars; 75 new unmarked cars; cell phone and video software, drones, and upgrades to investigative equipment are part of the mayor's plan to bolster public safety.

She said her administration is also working to install cameras at the 13 Parks and Rec sites without them, and to improve the monitoring of the more than 1,600 cameras already in place.

As for property crimes and quality of life issues, Parker said authorities will be cracking down on illegal use of ATVs, car meetups, nuisance crimes, and retail theft.

There is also a $24 million investment for grants to community-based organizations offering new services and resources for victims of violent crime.

A $45 million capital investment into a new forensics lab will no longer task investigators with solving crimes "using dinosaur equipment," she said.

While Parker said she fully supports the police budget, she said "we will have zero tolerance for any misuse or abuse of authority by law enforcement. Period." With that in mind, the Citizens Police Oversight Commission is getting a $3 million investment this year