By A. Peralta-83 – CCB Lead Reporter with contributions by CCB Staff

Image courtesy of Conwell MMS.

On Tuesday, May 9, from 5:30 through 8:30 PM, Conwell Middle Magnet School will be hosting Philadelphia City Council’s next Public Safety Committee Hearing. At the public event, Council member Curtis Jones Jr. (4th district), chairperson of the Public Safety Committee and Council member Quetzy Lozada (7th district), will be speaking about Kensington’s crises of Crime, Narcotics and overall harmful environment for students and civilians alike.

According to Conwell’s principal, Ms. Erica Green, Conwell Middle School has support from the 24th Police District along with Town Watch, IDAAY, The City Of Philadelphia and School Police.

As explained in an article published in the Philadelphia City Council Weekly Report, the purpose of the hearing is for the public to weigh in on Councilmember Lozada’s proposed Marshall Plan for Kensington. The plan is described as a way for leaders from across the city to develop solutions in collaboration with community residents. 

In her resolution, Council member Lozada stated that the plan was so named after, “The Marshall Plan, also known as the European Recovery Program, grew out of the horror and destruction caused by World War II.” Her plan connected the horrors of World II with the current Opioid and gun violence crisis in the neighborhood. 

“They chose Conwell because it is in the heart of Kensington and the Opiod Crisis,” Principal. Green said.

“They chose Conwell because it is in the heart of Kensington and the Opioid Crisis,” Ms. Erica Green, principal of Conwell Middle Magnet school, said. “Voices of the parents, students and teachers should be heard because they are all stakeholders.”

Principal Green encourages the public, residents, and especially students and their families to attend the meeting to have their voices heard.

“Voices of the parents, students and teachers should be heard because they are all stakeholders,” Principal Green said, “and the only way we can make change is if we work together for our community.”

According to Principal Green, students are expected to speak and express their concerns, opinions and worries. Some students were also asked what they would say to the City Council members during the meeting. 

“Our community needs more police officers around making addicts and the homeless get proper help,” said A. Irizarry-82, Conwell eigth-grade student and president of the school’s Student Council. She added, “and ensuring no more addicts are in our community.”  

Many of Conwell’s students walk home, take public transit, and travel from outside the neighborhood, which makes this a major issue and hazard for the safety of the students.

“There should be police officers to at least get people off the street,”  said E. Jasper-83, an eighth-grade student. “I once ran into someone high.¨

Furthermore, the crime rate in Kensington makes this dangerous situation even worse.

“I don’t want to see needles on the ground,” A. Capetillo-61, a sixth grade student, said.