While the City of Philadelphia cleared the homeless encampment from Kensington Avenue on May 6, a report published Friday indicates those who previously lived there have relocated to side streets.
A Philadelphia media notice posted to the social media platform X confirms the city cleared the encampment, however the city also discouraged media from covering the process in a bid to “protect the privacy” of those being relocated.
While media was prohibited from filming beyond a barrier, police posted images online showing results of their work.
Philadelphia Police Department Inspector Anthony Luca revealed on May 7 that 75 carts were cleared from the encampment and reported police were, “[c]ontinuing to do our best to clear up not only the violence but the quality of life in the Division.”
75 carts recovered from the streets of Kensington this morning by East Service Detail and @PhillyCLIP. Continuing to do our best to clear up not only the violence but the quality of life in the Division. Well done to the team!! @PPD24Dist @PPD25Dist @PPD26Dist @PhillyPolice pic.twitter.com/N8A801TLgf
— Anthony Luca (@PPDAnthonyLuca) May 7, 2024
Ten days later, Fox 29 reported, “The challenges once plaguing Kensington and Allegheny appear to have simply moved” to nearby Cambria Street despite Philadelphia insisting it is “pulling people into treatment.”
Philadelphia City Councilman Jim Harrity told the outlet the relocation of the homeless was “not exactly what we expected.”
Harrity added, “In reality, they’re not really on the side streets. There on the main streets still.”
Sarah Luaren of Kensington nonprofit Savage Sisters similarly told 6 ABC her organization has not seen a slowdown since the encampment was cleared by the city, but acknowledged the possibility of more people seeking treatment.
“We haven’t seen it slow down at all, in fact, there’s actually been a bit of an increase of individuals coming in, which could be a good thing,” she told the outlet. “They seem to be seeking to get into treatment.”
A Kensington resident also reported to the outlet, “I’ve seen people kind of like sleeping kind of further into the neighborhood. They keep moving it around as opposed to solving it.”
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker received praise from attorney general candidate Jared Solomon in April, who emphasized the mayor “understands quality of life issues” in the city.
“She understands that government is at its best when it’s dealing with the type of government that people feel and see – tangible improvement in communities like abandoned cars, potholes, business corridor development, getting at what can really inspire confidence in government,” he argued.
Solomon contrasted her performance with that of District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“For me, he gets an F for prosecuting, efficiently and effectively, gun violence,” Solomon declared.
He added, “An F for failing to work with others. An F for his unwillingness to prosecute retail theft.”
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Homeless” by Graywalls. CC BY-SA 4.0.
