Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, last week law enforcement officials in Chester, Pennsylvania, announced that this community has seen a 72 percent decrease in shootings with victims since 2019. 2023 saw the fewest gun homicides in two decades and a 68 percent decrease in gun homicides since 2019. Chester was once ranked among the most dangerous cities in the Nation for gun violence. So how did this happen? Since 2019, law enforcement, community members, faith groups, and local government have all been working together as the Chester Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods. During a period when we saw gun violence spike across the Nation, we have seen year-over-year reductions in gun violence and other violent crimes as community partners have worked together to implement a community-based violence prevention program with support from State and Federal funding, including the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. It is time to recognize the success of these pivotal programs with more than a pat on the back. Rather than offering sound bites and saber-rattling, the Chester community, a democratically led community I might add, rolled up its sleeves and did the work of identifying the resources and community partnerships needed to reduce gun violence and create a safer community. I want to congratulate DA Stollsteimer, Police Chief Gretsky, Cory Long from Making a Change Group, and all of the community members who have been so important in this effort.…”