Philadelphia Police report 36% drop in unsheltered residents in Kensington

In a recent meeting of the Philadelphia City Council's Special Committee on Kensington, discussions centered on the collaboration between the police department and outreach workers in addressing homelessness in the Kensington area. Deputy Commissioner Fran Healy highlighted the importance of partnerships between police officers and mental health clinicians, noting that this approach has proven effective in engaging individuals experiencing homelessness.

Healy explained that the Crisis Incident Response Teams (CIT) and the newly introduced Crisis Emergency Response Teams (CERT) work together to provide support. These teams allow officers to ensure safety while enabling outreach workers to connect with individuals in need. He emphasized that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, as different situations require tailored approaches. The success of these teams is reflected in their ability to follow up with individuals after initial encounters, fostering ongoing support.

The meeting also addressed the current state of homelessness in Kensington, with Deputy Commissioner Pedro Rosario reporting a decrease in the number of unsheltered residents. Recent counts conducted by the police department indicated that the number of unsheltered individuals has dropped from 412 last year to 368 this year. The police conduct counts twice a week, focusing on known congregating areas, which allows for more frequent data collection compared to other city departments.

Council members raised questions about the differences in counting methodologies among various agencies, highlighting concerns that discrepancies in how individuals are counted could affect the overall understanding of homelessness in the area. The police department's approach involves counting all individuals present in designated locations, while other agencies may have different criteria for inclusion.

As the city continues to address homelessness, the collaboration between law enforcement and outreach services remains a critical component of the strategy. The ongoing dialogue among city officials aims to refine these efforts and ensure that the needs of the community are met effectively. The next steps will involve further discussions on improving data sharing and coordination among agencies to enhance the response to homelessness in Kensington.