Philadelphia surpasses 500 homicides this year, making 2021 the deadliest year in city's history

Last month, on the day before Thanksgiving a 55-year-old woman was shot several times on a street in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The woman eventually died from the wounds that she sustained. Her death marked a tragic milestone for the city since it was the 500th homicide of the year. The last time that the city of Philadelphia reached 500 homicides was in 1990. 

At 499, the 2020 total for homicides was the second-highest on record. City leaders expect for 2021 to be the deadliest year in Philadelphia's history. As of December 24, 2021 there were 547 homicides this year in Philadelphia. In 2019 there were 356 homicides and in 2018 there were 353 homicides.

City law enforcement data shows that the total amount of violent crimes have decreased; however, the number of homicides in Philadelphia have been on the rise. Civic and community leaders are examining methods for how to reduce the number of homicides in Philadelphia. The state of Pennsylvania has a preemption law - which prevents cities & towns from enforcing local gun ordinances. The city of Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against the state with the goal of allowing municipalities to enforce their own local firearm regulations.

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw addressed the challenges of reducing the increase in homicides in the city when she said: "Each and every homicide carries with it a profound sense of loss. However, for our City to have reached such a tragic milestone - 500 lives cut short - it carries a weight that is almost impossible to truly comprehend."

Sources:

'Sense of Lawlessness': With 500 Killings, 2021 Is Deadliest in Philly History. By Brian X. McCrone and Rudy Chinchilla. November 24, 2021. 2021. https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/sense-of-lawlessness-with-500-killings-2021-is-deadliest-in-philly-history/3057586/

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