$1B funding proposal to solve gun crisis gets bipartisan support in Philadelphia

$1B funding proposal to solve gun crisis gets bipartisan support in Philadelphia
U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (podium) joins fellow members of Congress Brian Fitzpatrick, Dwight Evans, Brendan Boyle and the Philadelphia Police Department to announce a $1 billion funding proposal to help police clear gun violence cases, Jan. 26, 2022. Photo credit John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Four members of Congress who represent Philadelphia gathered at a Tioga playground Wednesday — the same playground where a 15-year-old girl was shot and killed over the summer.

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They’re pushing for a $1 billion funding proposal to help police clear gun violence cases.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), talked about the importance of the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act. It hit home for her as well, as she was carjacked at gunpoint last month in South Philly.

“Clearly we have a gun violence epidemic,” she said.

The bill would allow $100 million in grants each year to be distributed over the course of 10 years for local and state police departments.

Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-1) assured law enforcement officers that with this bill, “we have your back.”

“To the victims of crime, we have your back,” he added. “And to any would-be criminals, you cannot hide.”

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw said the bill would allow the department to increase the number of investigators and “expand our DNA investigatory capabilities. It will help us identify more shooters and track the usage of crime guns within the region with the aid of enhanced forensic technology.”

Funding would also provide victims and their families with resources, like mental health aid, housing, wages and relocation costs.

Democratic U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans (D-PA-3) and Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2) are on board as well.

“It’s not just a problem in Philadelphia,” said Evans. “It’s all across the nation. So we in our particular positions in our roles are binding together to show that we are determined to beat this problem.”

Featured Image Photo Credit: John McDevitt/KYW Newsradio