When it comes to crime-fighting, legislation may not always be the answer
In a two-day roundtable discussion hosted by Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., chair of Council’s committee on Public Safety, local leaders and experts will examine how education, literacy and family issues impact a person’s potential criminal involvement.
Crime is a big issue in Philadelphia and city officials and experts are seeking solutions.
In a two-day roundtable discussion hosted by Councilman Curtis Jones Jr., chair of Council's committee on Public Safety, local leaders and experts will examine how education, literacy and family issues impact a person's potential criminal involvement.
"Similar to what we've done in the past, we want to bring experts in the room," Jones said. "There have been more homicides in Philadelphia than have occurred in Beirut."
After the tragic shooting in Newtown, Conn., officials throughout the country have been calling for tougher gun laws, but Jones said he will apply the information gathered at the crime summit to next year's budget season. And instead of introducing more legislation, he plans to identify ways to support the laws currently on the books.
"We're going to put our money where our mouth is," he said. "The idea of a lawmaker isn't always to make laws. Sometimes it's not about the new law, but making sure there's money and resources behind the old law on the books."
The crime summit is being held at St. Joseph's University, 5400 City Line Avenue, in Mandeville Hall today and tomorrow from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.