Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, the city’s first woman mayor, marked her first year in office with a State of the City address on Friday at the Temple Performing Arts Center.
Speaking to a diverse audience of officials, union workers, and community members, Parker outlined the progress made since she took office 353 days ago and reaffirmed her goals for the city.
Public safety, her top priority, took center stage. Parker highlighted a significant reduction in violent crime, with homicides down 37% and shootings down 36% compared to 2023.
Philadelphia police have reported 255 homicides this year, the lowest in a decade.
She credited Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and Chief Public Safety Director Adam Geer for these improvements but emphasized there is more work to do, referencing recent incidents, including a shooting at Dilworth Park that injured three juveniles.
“These are human beings, not just statistics,” Parker stressed, pledging to continue efforts to make every neighborhood safer, according to Kensington Philly politics.
She noted the return of over 200 officers to community policing, engaging with residents on foot and bike patrols.
Parker also reflected on her dedication to transforming Philadelphia into the cleanest and greenest city in the U.S.
Through various initiatives, the city has cleaned over 40,000 blocks and removed over 3,000 abandoned vehicles.
Her administration launched a citywide cleaning program over the summer, covering 20,500 blocks and commercial areas.
The city also rolled out a new pilot project testing twice-a-week trash collection as part of its push to tackle littering.
“We are done with the phrase ‘Filthadelphia,’ and we won’t stop until that nickname is gone forever,” Parker declared.
Economic development was another focal point. She touched on the city council’s approval of the controversial 76ers arena but did not directly address Kensington’s ongoing challenges.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada expressed surprise at the omission but noted progress under the administration’s Kensington Initiative Plan, which was introduced in April.
Lozada noted the challenges of balancing politics and practical action in addressing the deep-rooted issues of the neighborhood.
On public health, Parker shared plans to open newly renovated facilities at the Riverview Wellness Village early next year.
The facilities aim to provide housing and treatment for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Parker also detailed ongoing projects to expand renewable energy use and increase the city’s tree canopy.
She spoke about measures to address flooding in Eastwick and the work of the Sustainability Office to protect vulnerable neighborhoods.
Ending her address with a nod to potential challenges under the incoming Trump administration, Cherlle Parker assured residents her priorities would remain unchanged, saying, “No election will change my focus. Period.”
Through her first year, Parker has sought to address long-standing issues in Philly with an ambitious agenda.
Whether tackling crime, enhancing the city’s cleanliness, or addressing the unique needs of neighborhoods like Kensington, Parker, the Philadelphia mayor, continues to demonstrate her drive to make the city safer and more livable.
