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Public safety
As Derek Chauvin’s trial draws to a close in Minneapolis, Philadelphia is among many cities girding itself for a repeat of last year’s rioting. It now seems likely that if Chauvin receives anything less than the maximum “life sentence without the possibility of parole,” Philadelphia will experience a replay of the looting and disorder that gripped the city last June after the death of George Floyd, and again in October after the shooting of Walter Wallace Jr.
In Philadelphia’s Port Richmond section near Aramingo Avenue, where the bulk of the looting occurred last June, some businesses are already boarding up in anticipation of violence. Many of these same business owners have met with the 24th Police District to make safety plans. At the city’s request, Pennsylvania governor Tom Wolf signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, activating the National Guard. “This declaration allows the commonwealth to take preemptive steps to ensure the safety of our fe
Since the initiative began in Philadelphia, the local prison population has decreased by 43%. The city has closed its House of Corrections and avoided the construction of a new prison.
By 2022, the initiative aims to reduce the city s jail population by 58% from its 2015 level. With the new grant money, the city will target the following reform measures:
•Providing early bail review hearings to people held in jail on low amounts of bail
•Increasing early diversion opportunities through the Police-Assisted Diversion Program
•Improving connections to treatment and services for people on community supervision with a mental illness
•Increasing investments in community-driven reforms through a criminal justice microgrant fund.
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)
Comcast is increasing the speed of its Internet Essentials package from 25/3 Mbps to 50/5 Mbps starting March 1, 2020 at no additional cost. The change is part of what the ISP says is a long-term commitment to digital equity, and that offering low-income households speeds above the FCC-defined minimum will help to “accelerate” those plans throughout 2021.
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On one hand, it does seem like an extension of good faith to
finally bring low-income households and communities decent internet. But on the other hand, it highlights how ISPs like Comcast have always had the ability to do so. “Today’s announcement shows that Comcast can improve its service for families and community members in need, at any time,” said Devren Washington, Senior Policy Organizer of the Movement Alliance Project, in a statement. “25 Mbps isn’t enough when children, caregivers, and communities all rely on one internet connection.”