Amid the turmoil of gun violence shaking the grounds of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is holding the line against sending the National Guard into the city's streets, setting a clear distinction from New York's approach to subway crime. As the Big Apple deploys its National Guard and state police to safeguard commuters, Philly's SEPTA system remains a civilian zone, with local and state law enforcement at the helm. Shapiro, demonstrating steadfast resolve, told The Inquirer, "I have no plans to deploy the National Guard on the streets of Philadelphia."
Following a harrowing incident where eight Northeast High School students were shot at a SEPTA bus stop, the governor emphasized the need to find alternatives to militarization. Consequently, the focus has turned towards amplifying violence-prevention initiatives and educational funding as part of Shapiro's state budget proposal awaiting the legislature's green light. As reported by PhillyVoice, "There is no one thing that is going to fix this problem, but we've got to come at it in a multitude of ways," said Shapiro.
In lieu of guardsmen on patrol, Governor Shapiro has touted an augmentation of manpower through the hiring of 400 state troopers and the proposal to recruit 400 more. According to PhillyVoice, Shapiro stated, "We will deploy them as needed in Pennsylvania." This strategic move coincides with conversations with Mayor Cherelle Parker about bolstering Pennsylvania State Police presence in high-risk areas, as needed, as indicated in a discussion with FOX 29 News.
Notwithstanding the recent violence that triggered the conversation about the National Guard's potential deployment, city statistics reveal a steep decline in homicides by more than 30 percent since 2023 and a near 13 percent drop in violent crime overall. The governor's stance communicates a broader imperative—beyond the deployments of troops—focusing on community partnership and legislative action. "We got to come together on this and say it’s not OK. And I’ll work with anyone, Democrat, Republican alike that wants to save the lives of our kids and those losing their lives on the streets every day," Shapiro elucidated in a statement acquired by FOX 29 News.
Across the Hudson, New York's decision, as unveiled by Gov. Kathy Hochul, stands in stark contrast, with thousands of officers, including National Guard members and state police, being dispatched to patrol subways and examine commuter bags. This move, reported by The Inquirer, aims at stemming the tide of crime in a bid to instill a sense of safety among New York City's millions of subway passengers. Philadelphia, thus far, is betting on a blend of legislative advocacy, law enforcement reinforcement, and community involvement to rewrite its narrative on public safety, steadfast in the conviction that the National Guard is not the missing piece in its multifaceted strategy.
