Philadelphia

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker reflects on first 100 days in office

Mayor Parker reflected on her first 100 days in office at a public event at a school in Kensington and promised a united city under her leadership in the days and months to come.

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Mayor Cherelle Parker marked her 100th day in office at an event Thursday afternoon in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood.

Parker opened the day by riding SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line to Kensington before walking to Russell Conwell Middle School.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker chats with a fellow rider on SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line on April 11.
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Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker chats with a fellow rider on SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line on April 11.

At the school she was joined by city officials, including Philadelphia' Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel and school superintendent, Dr. Tony Watlington, to highlight the work her administration has already done so far this year.

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"This is not the end of anything today," said Parker. "We are here to announce the beginning, and that is the beginning of the Parker administration's plans to fulfil my promise to the people of Philadelphia that together we will create a safer, cleaner and greener Philadelphia with access to economic opportunity for all."

In the past, Parker has said she would unveil a safety plan for the city when she hits 100 days in office.

During Thursday's event, she unveiled that plan, which includes a number of goals, including: reducing homicides to the "historic lows in 2014," reducing retail theft and stolen auto crimes by 50% and increasing clearance rates of homicides to 60%.

She also said she would never let "naysayers" interrupt her plans to create a better city for the residents of Philadelphia.

As the event continued, Parker promised the crowd would hear from Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel to detail the safety plan and how the city's police force will be focusing on a community policing plan.

But, before he stepped to the podium, Parker promised to "break news" at the event.

She then announced new actions in the hopes of getting ghost guns -- firearms that don't have serial numbers -- out of the city.

"We are one step closer to getting ghost guns off our streets and holding gun dealers accountable," she announced.

However, she said, more details would be forthcoming.

Parker said the two companies -- Polymer80 and JSD Supplies -- are responsible for 90% of ghost guns in Philadelphia. A recent settlement will lead to those companies halting all sales of ghost guns online and in stores for four years and in-person at gun shows in Philadelphia for two years, according to Parker.

Throughout the event, officials from across the city discussed plans for the coming year.

Parker wrapped the event by noting that she will be bringing town halls and budget meetings to neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

And, Parker said, with the first 100 days under her belt, she's looking forward to working closely with residents for the rest of her tenure in the city's highest office.

"We are going to make good on our promise to give you a reason to hope and believe in your government again, to make it work for you and your neighborhood," Parker said.

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