Title
Authorizing City Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight and Committee on Public Safety to hold joint hearings concerning the safety of Philadelphia school children as they make their way to and from school.
Body
WHEREAS, The safety of Philadelphia's school children, both within school buildings and as they travel to and from school, must be accorded the highest of priorities; and
WHEREAS, There have been far too many tragedies involving Philadelphia school children making their way to and from school, whether because of vehicle accident (90 in 2003-2004 compared to 56 in 2002-2003), crimes directed at children, or shooting incidents in which children have been caught in the crossfire; and
WHEREAS, The School District of Philadelphia has developed a plan to reduce violence in the schools; and
WHEREAS, Council's Committee on Legislative Oversight and Committee on Public Safety held joint hearings on April 22, 2004 that addressed the problem of children being struck by vehicles on their way to and from school. Testimony was taken concerning best practices in other cities, and concerning efforts being made in Philadelphia by the City and the School District to improve school children's safety, including the School District's "Safe Corridors" program and the City's creation of a School Safety Zone Task Force; and
WHEREAS, As a new school year begins, it is appropriate for Council to review the progress that has been made since the April 22, 2004 hearing, and to investigate what additional steps may be taken to protect children from crime on their way to and from school; now therefore
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the Committee on Legislative Oversight and the Committee on Public Safety are hereby authorized to hold joint hearings to determine the status of efforts being made to ensure the safety of children on their way to and from school, to investigate what additional efforts may be appropriate, and to investigate whether all stakeholders are appropriately coordinating their activities to best assure the safety of Philadelphia's school children. To this end, the Committees shall request that representatives of the following agencies attend the hearing, in addition to representatives of the Eastern Pennsylvania Organizing Project and any other social service agencies or other organizations the Committees deem appropriate: the Philadelphia School District, the School Reform Commission, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Teamsters Local Union No. 502 (CASA), and the Philadelphia Crossing Guard Union; the Mayor's Office and other relevant City agencies, including the Managing Director's Office and the Police Department; the SEPTA Police and the Philadelphia Housing Authority Police; Philadelphia universities and their public safety personnel; the Archdiocese of Philadelphia; and the members of the Philadelphia delegation of the General Assembly.
End