Philadelphia Mayor Starts Long-Awaited Process Of Cleaning Out City’s Open Air Drug Markets

Philadelphia's fresh mayor Cherelle Parker may be successful with what seems like a comparative simple task that her predecessors were freely incapable of performing: cleaning out the city's open air drug markets in its Kensington section.

Pay attention, Democrats. There’s a chance it actually can be done.

During Monday’s Committee of the full meeting, City Council members pressed Managing manager Adam Thiel and another officials for details on the planned "encampment resolution" in Kensington and budget deals at the Office of Homeless Services.

The city announced it would clear homeless encampments on Wednesday along the 3000 and 3100 blocks of Kensington Avenue, according to the Philadelphia Tribune.

City workers have been reading out to the homeless, informing them of their restoration from the sidewalks and offering beds in treatment facilities. This first alliances with a crucial policy shift in Mayor Cherelle Parker’s 100 Day Plan to address drug usage andviolence in Kensington.

Thiel emphasized a medically focused approach to treating these effects and addressing their needs. While police will be present during Wednesday's actions, Thiel Aims to supply support to these seeing help.

The Philadelphia Tribune reported that, to address leighborhood deals, the city will evenly displace undreds of unhoused individuals to clear encampments in Kensington. At-Large Councilmember Kendra Brooks asked if there are adequate beds for all these displaced and managing manager Adam Thiel asked that there are successful beds citywide.

“We are building this ecosystem of facilities so we can get people to the right place for the right care, for the right time, until they get back on their feet and can have access to economical opportunity,” he said.

Thiel noted that the ‘specific approach established by the Parker administration is the first time it will be approached in the country.’

Council president Kenyatta Johnson suggested sending that needing 60+ days of treatment to facilities outside Philadelphia and partnering with Treatment Court, which mandates treatment alternatively of invasion for substance abuse issues.

But it looks as though the city is holding the Office of Homeless Services affordable, which is likely a large start to at least getting better results than in years past. Councilmembers asked Thiel and Office of Homeless Services Executive manager David Holloman about the office’s capacity to address Philadelphia’s increasing homeless population, which has increased by 12% since last year.

The office had asked for an additional $15 million last year, which Gilmore Richardson pressed back on: “We hell back $5.1 million ... due to the fact that you all at the time could not supply the services to aid us realize why you request these dollars.”

The encampment clearout is underway on Kensington Avenue. @KYWNewsradio pic.twitter.com/CkqAOaoSX9

— Tim Jimenez (@TimJRadio) May 8, 2024