Philadelphia Leaders Hoping Tens Of Millions Of Dollars Is Answer To Solving Gun Violence Epidemic

By Joe Holden, CBS Philadelphia

June 29, 2021

City and community leaders are hoping tens of millions of dollars in the new budget is the answer to solving Philadelphia’s gun violence epidemic. There have been at least 267 murders in just the first six months of 2021 in the city, up more than 70 from this time last year.

Some Philadelphia City Council members kept busy on this sweltering Monday outlining how a historic infusion of cash will bankroll gun violence prevention and anti-violence initiatives and programs. And yet, the killings on city streets have only accelerated at historic rates.

“We want to make sure that those dollars get to the groups effectively, efficiently and as quickly as possible because the blood is still rising in the streets,” one official said.

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