Philadelphia police: Crackdown reduced shootings, killings
Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner says his department successfully reduced shootings and homicides committed on weekends during a seven-month crackdown that ended this fall.
Philadelphia’s Police Commissioner says his department successfully reduced shootings and homicides committed on weekends during a seven-month crackdown that ended this fall.
The crime-prevention program targeted Philadelphia’s most dangerous neighborhoods, and partnered with 17 separate city, state and federal agencies, between April and October.
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[audio: 091201spcops.mp3]
“Operation Pressure Point” targeted 12 high-crime police districts between Friday afternoon and late Sunday night. Police spokesman Frank Vanore says the initiative produced 1,775 arrests and nearly $5 million dollars in drugs.
Vanore says the program cut weekend homicides in half and reduced shootings by 11% in those districts.
Vanore: This year, the Operation Pressure Point that started in April and culminated at the end of October involved all the federal agencies in this area that work along with us and the local city agencies and the state getting together as one united force and going out during those hours.
The commissioner says the program will be renewed next year. Across the city, 1,410 people suffered gun shot wounds so far this year, while 283 people were killed.
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