12th district officers, clergy and community members pounded the pavement, making their presence known on corners riddled with violence.
One of the stops on the peace walk is 54th and Florence, a known drug corner in the 12th district. @6abc pic.twitter.com/MocDGjJpBZ
— Christie Ileto (@Christie_Ileto) September 21, 2020
"We still have these young individuals, robbing, killing. We're going to tackle these blocks," said an organizer.
Shootings in the 12th district are up 30% from this time last year, with 135 gunshot victims. And just over the weekend, one of the district's police cars was set on fire. The men responsible were arrested.
“My kids spent the whole summer in the house due to two things— the pandemic of COVID and the pandemic of violence,” said Leila. She like many residents in SW Philadelphia tonight watched from her front steps as a peace walk led by the police and clergy came down her block. @6abc pic.twitter.com/Z3ZTW66w7a
— Christie Ileto (@Christie_Ileto) September 22, 2020
"It's very concerning thing to see violence against police officers, but it's not just the police officers because we have violence in this community. We're not going to tolerate violence in our streets," said Capt. Scott Drissel, the commanding officer of the 12th district.
"My kids spent the whole summer in the house due to two things: the pandemic of COVID-19, and the pandemic of violence," said Leila Hall-Johnson.
READ MORE: 2 arrested for Philadelphia police car arson in West Philly; police say not related to previous car fires
On Monday night, those watching from their windows, front steps and sidewalks say the responsibility to step up also falls on the community.
Shootings in the @PPD12Dist are up 30% compared to this time last year. There have been 135 shooting victims so far this year. There have also been 23 murders in the 12th district, on pace to match or eclipse
— Christie Ileto (@Christie_Ileto) September 22, 2020
2019’s total of 29. @6abc pic.twitter.com/2XkndaSvTx
"We have to come out of houses. We have to stop being scared. We have to stop letting violence just ravage our community," she said.
To date, 23 homicides have been recorded in the district. The rising violence is on pace to surpass last year's number of 29 murders.