Mayor Jim Kenney admits he hasn't met with the families of Philadelphia's 300 homicide victims
PHILADELPHIA - Mayor Jim Kenney made a shocking admission during a gun violence press conference Tuesday as Philadelphia homicides reach 300 so far this year.
When asked by FOX 29's Kelly Rule if he had met with any families of those 300 homicide victims, the mayor said he had not.
"I have not spoken specifically to families," Kenney said. "I have spoken to the officers involved in the shootings but have not spoken individually to people."
The mayor went on to say that it is difficult to interact with people during investigations.
"I don't know that it's productive that I intercede while the investigation is going on," he said.
Kenney confirmed his admission when pressed with a follow-up question regarding the families of those killed in the city.
"I may have had conversations with them, but there has been no specific meetings set up," he said.
However, it was also revealed this isn't the first year Kenney hasn't sat down with victims' families during his time as mayor.
"I've never met with any families in almost seven years," he said.
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Kenney's comment comes just weeks after the he said he will be "happy" to leave office following a shooting at Philadelphia's Fourth of July fireworks display.
The mayor's office later issued a statement to "clarify" Kenney's admission:
"To be clear, the Mayor has met with several mothers of children who were killed in the city, mainly through CJPS's GVI program."
Mayor Kenney issued a statement hours later on Tuesday:
"Every act of gun violence is an unspeakable tragedy. The fact that our city has lost 300 souls to date this year is utterly devastating. As mayor, my number one priority is to keep people safe and protect our residents. The surge in gun violence that we’ve seen in our city—and across the entire country—is unacceptable and pains me to my core. My deepest condolences go out to the loved ones of all those affected by this senseless violence.
"It is our top priority to respond to the needs of victims of gun violence and their families. That is why we created the Office of Violence Prevention, helmed by Executive Director Shondell Revell, and the newer Office of the Victim Advocate, led by Victim Advocate Adara Combs to specifically provide supports and interventions to those directly and indirectly impacted by violence.
"The Office of Violence Prevention (OVP) partners with the Philadelphia Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network (PAAN) to support communities experiencing, or vulnerable to, gun violence through the Community Crisis Intervention Program (CCIP). In 2022, CCIP has connected with and provided resources and services to many individuals and families who were open to receiving them. Some of these families received weekly interactions and support from the CCIP team, and were connected with permanent housing support, transportation to schools, and food. CCIP also helps relocate individuals at risk of gun violence to environments where they would be safer.
"The Office of the Victim Advocate (OVA) works on behalf of victims and co-victims through partnerships with PPD homicide, the District Attorney’s Office, and the non-fatal shootings unit of PPD. The OVA has referred and followed up on numerous requests for emergency relocation in partnership with the Office of Violence Prevention and the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network, as mentioned above. The OVA also assisted multiple citizens with Victims Compensation Assistance Program (VCAP) related issues related to funeral reimbursement including communicating directly with funeral homes to ease the process as well as communicating with VCAP to advocate on their behalf. The OVA also connects victims and their families to community-based services to receive therapy and grief counseling, as well as works in partnership with the community based agencies to ensure that the City is meeting as many needs as possible.
"While I have been in touch and our administration continues to engage with some families of loved ones who were injured or killed by violence, the vast majority of the trauma and intervention supports are offered by various City departments because we know that violence prevention starts with prevention and ends in healing.
"Violence anywhere in Philadelphia will always be unacceptable, and the Police Department needs the community’s help to bring the people who are responsible for crimes to justice. I urge anyone with information about any crime to report it anonymously to 215-686-TIPS."