Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson is shaking up the Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention, bringing on board nearly two dozen new members to help combat the city's enduring issue of gun violence, PHLCouncil reported. This move aims to infuse the committee with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of urgency in improving public safety, which Johnson insists is central to thriving communities.
"Gun violence is a longstanding and devastating problem in Philadelphia and across the nation," Johnson said, underscoring the importance of public safety as the foundation for health, education, and community cohesion, a statement that highlights the issue’s complexity and the council’s commitment to addressing it despite the challenge of reducing gun violence, which remains a top priority, especially as the city has seen a decrease in homicides and shooting incidents compared to the previous year, according to the latest stats. The new committee members, announced on May 16, bring a variety of expertise to the table, from law enforcement and public health to community engagement and support for victims of crime.
Among the newly appointed committee members are seasoned and emerging leaders in the Philadelphia community, including Adam Geer, Adara L. Combs, and Dr. Marquita Williams, who bring their knowledge and experience in public safety, victim advocacy, and behavioral health, the city's Special Committee on Gun Violence Prevention is keen on forging a comprehensive strategy, leveraging their skills for the greater good with the overarching mission of reducing gun violence and creating a safer environment for all citizens.
The reauthorization of the Special Committee came under Council President Johnson's leadership last October with City Council approving Resolution #240938, introduced by Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, setting the stage for an updated mandate and ongoing interventions beyond the term’s end, which has historically made significant strides, having achieved considerable investments in the city's operating budgets directed at grassroots anti-violence initiatives that have contributed to the notable 21 percent dip in homicides so far in 2025.
Significant strides have also been made by the Office of Philadelphia Victim Advocate (OVA), established on the committee's advocacy, which launched a relocation program and a crime scene cleanup initiative to support victims and co-victims of violence, efforts applauded by President Johnson and echoed by the Philadelphia community that has faced the trauma of gun violence first-hand looking to the committee for further guidance and solutions which remain an urgent demand on the city's agenda.
