Title
Authorizing the Committee of the Whole to initiate the development of an operational and management strategic plan for the criminal justice system in Philadelphia for the purpose of evaluating criminal justice procedures, crime fighting strategies and public safety programs; further authorizing the Committee to develop a report and recommendations on the best practices for crime prevention, policing, adjudication, incarceration, re-entry and public safety programs; further authorizing the acceptance of private funds and authorizing the expenditure of up to $100,000 in public funds to develop such professional, independent strategic plan conducted under the jurisdiction of the Committee of the Whole; further authorizing the Committee to hold public hearings for the purpose of informing citizens of the preliminary and final recommendations of the strategic plan; and, further authorizing the Committee in furtherance of such evaluation to issue subpoenas as may be necessary to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter.
Body
WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia is experiencing nearly a homicide a day since the beginning of the year; and
WHEREAS, Unfortunately, this chilling statistic is a continuation of the recent, steady and dramatic increase in homicide rates in our City -- with 311 homicides in 2001, 349 in 2003, and a staggering 380 in 2005; and
WHEREAS, While homicide rates have increased, the number of uniformed police officers has decreased; and
WHEREAS, The size of the police force has implications on the number of police who are actually "on the street." And, according to a 2004 PICA report, Philadelphia's percentage of on-street police officers is among the lowest of major U.S. cities; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia City Council voted recently to amend the proposed Fiscal Year 2007 budget and called upon the Mayor to hire more officers; and
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