Philly Council approves downgrading certain offenses
Listen
Philadelphia police may be able to crack down on people disturbing the peace without having to arrest them.
A bill under review in City Council would allow police to ticket anyone creating a disturbance, blocking a street or being intoxicated in public — rather than charging that individual with a disorderly person’s offense. The change would help limit the city jail population, said police Capt. Francis Healy, by keeping as many as 10,000 cases out of the criminal justice system annually.
“It gives us a lot of credibility that we are not trying to overly criminalize this type of behavior, but we have to take action, some time to control,” he said. “This is a good, efficient alternative, and I think it will work well. The officers have been really receptive and are really looking forward to this.”
Councilwoman Helen Gym said she was concerned that tickets would be issued in domestic violence cases.
Gym was assured by police that domestic violence cases will be treated in the same way they have been all along.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Photo essay: Chestnut Hill welcomes thousands for 40th annual Fall for the Arts Festival
The 8000 through 8600 blocks of Germantown Avenue welcomed thousands of people to the “Garden District,” closing off the road to traffic.
8 hours ago
Actress CCH Pounder’s art collection comes to the African American Museum
The actress, who has been on television for decades, is also a major collector of contemporary art. She loaned 40 pieces to the AAMP.
20 hours ago
Low-income Philadelphians continue to face high energy costs, analysis finds
A national nonprofit found Black and Hispanic households spend more of their income on energy than households overall.
21 hours ago