Stories
Up the Block is a Philadelphia-based project from The Trace, the only U.S. newsroom that exclusively covers gun violence. As you browse our resources, these stories from our publication might help you understand the broader crisis and its potential solutions.
Philly Has a Fraught History With Stop-And-Frisk Policing. Will Mayor Parker Expand Its Use?
Although she’s provided few details since her campaign, the new mayor’s handling of a fatal shooting by a police officer left some community members anticipating that she could revive the controversial tactic.
How Philadelphians Feel About Violence On Public Transit
I’ve been using SEPTA since I was in middle school. I’m shaken by the recent violence — and other community members are, too.
Amid Record Violence, Philadephia’s Transit System Quietly Unplugged Its New Gun-Detection System
SEPTA didn’t expand its pilot with ZeroEyes, a company that manages AI gun-detection technology. The city is looking for other ways to keep riders safe after a surge of gunfire this March.
Cherelle Parker Promised to Make Philadelphia Safe. Her First Budget Proposal Increases Police Spending.
The new mayor’s $6.29 billion budget would fund a new forensic lab, police oversight, and 400 more cops.
In Philadelphia, a Program Offers Some People Arrested for Unlicensed Guns a Second Chance
The initiative is open to those with no prior convictions and whose only crime was having an unlicensed gun. It aims to work around a state law that treats Philadelphians more harshly than other Pennsylvanians.
The Power of Shock: How a Philadelphia Activist Is Using a Casket to Prevent Gun Violence
Michael Ta’Bon, an ex-offender turned crime fighter, is in his 13th year of bringing interactive exhibits, “sidewalk therapy,” and a message on healing to neighborhoods affected by the city’s gun violence crisis.
Philadelphia Public Workers Face More Gun Violence, Even as Rates Decline Citywide
Recent shootings claimed the lives of a bus driver and a school staffer, part of a crisis that led new mayor Cherelle Parker to declare a public safety emergency.
Reflecting on a Season of Growth in Philly
Reporter Afea Tucker discusses a year of local community engagement, culminating in an anti-violence event focused on music.
Philly’s Highest-Crime Neighborhoods Are Seeing a Significant Decline in Gun Violence
For the first time in three years, the city is poised to end 2023 with fewer than 500 fatalities — but the gunshots, sirens, and recurring cycles of mourning persist.
How Will Philadelphia’s New Mayor Drive Down Shootings?
Cherelle Parker, the first woman to lead the city, campaigned on stop-and-frisk policing. Her constituents have strong views on how she should implement it — if at all.
As Philadelphia Struggles to Hire Cops, More Businesses Are Turning to Private Armed Guards
Concern about homicides is also contributing to the rise of private security. But there are questions about limited training and regulation.
‘What Makes the City Safe’: Philadelphians Want More Specifics From Mayoral Candidates
Cherelle Parker and David Oh have agreed to one debate, but community leaders worry they won’t get details on the candidates’ plans to address gun violence.
A False Account of a Controversial Killing Takes Philly Police ‘a Hundred Steps Back’ From the Community
Philly’s strategy for solving violent crime relies on the public’s trust. The police killing of Eddie Irizarry, 27, threatens to strain that trust even more.
Homicides in Philadelphia Are Trending Downward. Will It Last?
City officials argue that to keep killings on the decline, the Republican-led state Senate needs to pass stronger gun laws.
Evaluation Finds Philly’s Violence Prevention Grant Program Works — But Needs More Support
The pilot program paid $13.5 million to 31 community groups who served more than 4,800 people, mostly men and teenage boys.
For Formerly Incarcerated People, the Challenges of Reentry Make ‘Every Move an Emergency’
The U.S. has 78 million people with criminal records who face more than 40,000 legal restrictions and barriers to finding jobs and housing, according to a new survey.
After a Race Centered on Gun Violence, Cherelle Parker Wins Philadelphia Democratic Mayoral Primary
Parker, who is likely to become the city’s first woman chief executive in November, pledged to crack down on crime and declare a state of emergency.
Philly Wants the Public’s Help to Catch Killers. Victims’ Families Aren’t Hopeful.
Parents say that no one has been arrested for the murders of their children, even after they’ve passed along tips to the police. Now they’re skeptical of a new campaign to locate homicide fugitives.
In Philadelphia, Shootings Are Starting to Slow — Except Among Kids and Teens
Social media beefs and long-standing social ills are driving gun violence among young people at a record pace.
Shootings Remain High in Philly, But City-Funded Violence Interruption Shows Promise
A recent study found that a Philadelphia program can reduce shootings among participants by about half.
The Shooting of a Temple University Police Officer Revives a Campus Safety Debate
Fifteen months after the community’s last high-profile killing, Philadelphia’s largest university is still struggling to keep its people safe.
These Philadelphia Researchers Want Journalists to Tell Better Stories About Gun Violence
These Philadelphia Researchers Want Journalists to Tell Better Stories About Gun Violence
Hope and Disenchantment as Police Flood Philly’s Most Violent Areas
Philadelphians are already torn over whether the city has sent enough officers to do the job, and whether the increased numbers alone are sufficient without further reform. Some complain of seeing more police cars parked on corners and a few have had such negative interactions with police that they’ve lost faith in the department entirely.
Shot on the Job: Philly’s Public Workers Are Under Fire
Two city workers were shot and killed on the job last year, while others were shot and threatened with guns.
Philly’s Top Cop Ducks Criticism for Rising Violence
Danielle Outlaw heads a dwindling police force in a city that just logged 500 homicides, but Philadelphians from all walks of life are giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Philadelphia Surpasses 500 Homicides for the Second Year in a Row
The city’s gun violence crisis claimed more than 90 percent of deaths.
Gun Violence Has Shaped Their Lives. These Philly Teens Made a Documentary Series About It.
Bout Mine I Matter helps Philly’s youth process their grief through a filmmaking program that integrates behavioral counseling and de-escalation techniques.
Gas Stations Become a Magnet for Violence in Philadelphia
Shootings at gas stations are rising across the city. As police search for answers, the families of victims are grieving — and filing lawsuits.
Philly, What Do You Want to Know About Gun Violence?
I’m The Trace’s new Philadelphia engagement reporter and I want to hear from you.
Philly DA Larry Krasner Is Charging Cops With Murder. It Could Cost Him A Job.
In Philadelphia, Gun Violence Supercharges an Unprecedented Mayoral Race
As the city grapples with unrelenting shootings, a record number of city council members have resigned to seek the city’s top job.
‘We Deserve for You to Protect Us:’ After A Grim Year of Shootings, Philadelphians Want Action
Residents tell us what they want city leaders to do to make them safer — but say earning their trust will be an uphill battle.
Philadelphia Embraced Larry Krasner’s Progressive Vision. But He May Be Running Out of Time.
In January 2018, Larry Krasner walked into the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office fresh from a historic victory. A PBS camera crew followed, capturing him and his core staff mapping out a plan to drop prosecution of a series of low-level offenses, including possession of small amounts of marijuana, crack and powder cocaine possession under a few grams, and prostitution. The meeting offered Krasner more than just a chance to set policy. As he sat back in his chair and declared the old ways of thinking about prosecution in Philadelphia had to go, no matter the political consequences, Krasner was girding his office for battle.
In a Virtual Classroom, How Do You Care for Kids Threatened by Gun Violence?
With school districts around the country operating remotely to avoid spreading COVID-19, teachers and administrators are confronting a full range of complications caused by virtual learning. In Philadelphia, educators have tried to address a specific challenge: When kids aren’t spending time in classrooms, it’s harder to keep them safe. Close to 1,450 people have already been shot in the city this year, eclipsing the total for all of 2019. The violence has taken an especially cruel toll on Philadelphia’s children.