The City of Philadelphia is rolling out Gun Violence Awareness Month by shining a light on the work of the Joint Warrant Apprehension Taskforce (JWAT). In an act to signify this commitment, the Office of Public Safety’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods (OSN) held a press conference to both recognize and honor the diligence of individuals within the task force, a key player in the city's strategy to reduce gun-related incidents. Addressing the complexity of multi-jurisdictional collaborations, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker noted, as reported by the City of Philadelphia's news release, "Working across jurisdictions is never easy. It takes trust, alignment, and a shared sense of urgency."
The inception of the JWAT program was a direct response to the 2019 shooting of a toddler, which unveiled the perpetrator as a fugitive on probation. In efforts to prevent similar future tragedies, OSN took the initiative to strategically align local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. Citing a distressing trend of summer violence, the City of Philadelphia’s Chief Public Safety Director, Adam Geer, expressed a determination to break from the past. "But as we said after the tragic shooting at Lemon Hill last week and as we continue to say after every act of violence: we will not be held hostage, we are not going back to the old statics – and initiatives like JWAT and other collaborative efforts with our partners across government and in the community will get us there one step at a time," Geer highlighted, per the City of Philadelphia's news release.
Following suit, OSN's Director of Violence Prevention Initiatives, Deion Sumpter, advocated for a balance between accountability and respectful engagement. In the initiative's vision, as Sumpter told Philadelphia's public communications, "By focusing on individuals with active warrants and those on high-risk probation, we’re working together to offer accountability while also recognizing the importance of respectful, fair engagement. These efforts help reduce harm and support a safer environment for everyone." This strategic approach is data-driven and targets neighborhoods that record the highest incidences of shootings and homicides.
The JWAT’s approach does not solely rely on enforcement, but also works closely with community-based resources to provide stability for those affected by violence. The City's Office of Public Safety’s Office of Safe Neighborhoods Community Crisis Intervention Program (CCIP) stands as the leading agency for engaging with family members and others indirectly impacted by the criminal justice processes. "CCIP also works closely with community leaders—such as block captains, faith leaders, and stakeholders—to support stabilization efforts and identify urgent needs in the neighborhood," as per the statement shared by the City of Philadelphia's announcement. JWATs and similar programs are set to continue to play a crucial role in Philadelphia’s overarching strategy to counteract gun violence and promote public safety.
