Mayor Brings Operation Safer Streets Into Communities

Speaking to large crowds throughout the City, MayorJohn F. Street on Saturday unveiled the City’s new comprehensive, citywide violence prevention and reduction plan – Operation Safer Streets.

Flanked by Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and an array of city officials, community activists and clergy, the Mayor appeared at six meetings in neighborhoods across the City, delivering the same message at each stop to overflowing, engaged crowds.

“ Philadelphia is safer today than it’s been in a long time,” Mayor Street said at Faith Assembly of God Church in Frankford. “Remember Operation Safe Streets? We shut down 309 open-air drug markets. Serious crime declined. However, the recent uptick in gun violence in our City is unacceptable, and we will not allow it to continue. We have a plan to prevent violence, but the police cannot solve this problem alone. Violence is everybody’s problem, and we must all be a part of the solution.”