The city that had one of the highest per capita murder rates in the country is receiving praise these days from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro for making significant progress to bring gun violence under control, writes Dan Snyder and Nate Sylves for CBS News Philadelphia.
State, county, and city leaders have worked together for five years to curb the violence on Chester’s streets through the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods.
“The city that nearly led the nation in per capita homicide rate is now a model for other cities and communities across Pennsylvania on how we can work together to reduce crime,” Shapiro said.
Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said the five years of effort, particularly this past year, have given Chester “the safest stretch we’ve had” in decades.
New numbers released Wednesday show that since 2020, gun homicides have fallen 74 percent. Gun incidents, or shootings, were down 65 percent..
The usually violent summer months this year showed zero gun homicides.
The partnership is funded by $2.6 million in grants from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
The funding helped with law enforcement initiatives, community block parties, and expanded hours for the Boys and Girls Club.
Read more about Chester’s successes in curbing gun violence at CBS News Philadelphia.
