Philly Sees Decline in Youth Shootings, Police Detail Safety Efforts
Why this is here: The school diversion program’s success in reducing arrests—from 1,600 children in 2014 to just 72 last year—demonstrates a shift toward preventative, trauma-informed approaches to student safety.
Philadelphia is experiencing a decrease in shootings involving children, according to Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel. Bethel, who previously led school safety from 2019-2023, noted about 200 children were shot annually during that time. Last year, however, fatal shootings citywide fell by half compared to 2022, with a continuing decline in youth shootings.
Bethel credits this improvement to collaborations between the police and city programs. These include a violence reduction initiative at Bartram High School and the Safe Path program. A school diversion program, started in 2014, reduced school-related arrests of children from 1,600 annually to 72 last year.
The Philadelphia Police Department currently assigns around 60 officers to support school dismissals and patrols key corridors. Police also work with school safety teams to manage large-scale fights, prioritizing de-escalation over force. Plans are underway to adjust safety measures, including school crossing guards, as the district prepares for school closures.