[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6546375,"mediaKeyId","3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850","parentId",3638620,"title","Speakers urge additional security and weapons‑detection measures on SEPTA; council notes funding and intergovernmental needs","audioSeconds",182,"startMs",2668000,"endMs",2850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850&start=2668&end=2850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850/thumbnail_2668000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6546375/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Speakers-urge-additional-security-and-weaponsdetection-measures-on-SEPTA-council-notes-funding-and-intergovernmental-needs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546375-36469294826a5429b21bdf3e4c513889/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211181&Signature=J81iF3LHbCg~SPG8cLG0CwMLxLCy49RGiqagvb4dOTobqyDMo7D8EE~kgapR3bthEPSjMMX7OHq1k~9zig3vpANoa5ELsiXTMbCyIS~x6lPjHRVWv7DGVV5aL36sK7AQqTJdf07~jHwYcYdPXEzfLMTcjKz1Yr-hkzl7IBCRw62jIV5RiUuwfoMLHJWIphuN5wLg0zCTriZS6jGTfyTGkCsWgne2aZzdjYEnYW3L3~o~SWe3xEunnUNtUEtEHULJo2aAiKKmZVxQpXnMQJOMRy5zt4ZwRPHt4Uud88no6ejB3Mqo3FuHrk2TW5yt5ec-lDKbpqUzbYxLfzGR~pVdUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Philadelphia City Council","date","2025-05-30T17:35:02Z","article","Several speakers raised concerns about safety on SEPTA transit, citing an increase in shootings and urging city and transit officials to pilot and adopt weapons‑detection technologies and other security measures.

One speaker cited news counts and SEPTA’s own reporting for 2024 and said local and national outlets documented more shootings than SEPTA publicly reported, including a mass shooting in March that wounded multiple passengers. The speaker urged the city to require and support weapons‑detection systems and to hold SEPTA accountable for security technology upgrades.

Council members said they agree safety is a priority but noted that transit security and long‑term transit funding are complex and require state and regional cooperation. The council president said state delegation work is underway to pursue long‑term funding solutions for transit; members also noted pilot work SEPTA and unions have done on bus operator protections, such as safety glass.

Speakers pointed to pilot programs in other cities and asked for a multilayered security strategy rather than relying only on fare‑evasion enforcement. Council members said they would continue to press for funding and intergovernmental coordination to improve transit safety.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Your City, Your Budget - FY26 Budget Town Hall Meetings - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At the town hall, residents and advocates urged stronger safety measures on SEPTA, including weapons‑detection systems and upgraded cameras; councilmembers said long‑term funding and state cooperation will be necessary.","taxTitle","Philadelphia City, Philadelphia County , Pennsylvania","taxId",80615,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546381,"Neighbors call for stronger enforcement on illegal dumping and expanded 'clean and green' resources",297,1633000,1930000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850&start=1633&end=1930","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850/thumbnail_1633000.jpg","/articles/6546381/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Neighbors-call-for-stronger-enforcement-on-illegal-dumping-and-expanded-clean-and-green-resources","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546381-35d6b067acd962cf00eb5fd660f17564/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211181&Signature=W~2sJLCfjXvXf2XQ5OIg7p-ZvtsSoEH8u2eZXkmNS~ZJFcj5Tksu~cwBTkIwghWrez7iFRsbGIKBTpRVVXTzLm76cnTKeW0zKAwSvklGOHsmtkS~TWVndW~L0J0PcFcQr2Lr3kjslsHBgJBvD-ne8~uVXdQ52nYbYniS~DEbXfaSO7X-pykTWfUry6wue448E5wVEw48XLS29m7awXnOP5xU-JepB9MfNI5XlYtVyglpL5LVqnN9kwlmMT3VUSJCoVDSeLJaDqyjNiol-wr37HxQuF8p62sEz7Cu6r1xZu-D1u7bpC-6E47JcQrQ3U8Hk-iFykJdrRY4orkr6WcH4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple residents raised illegal dumping and sanitation as a recurring neighborhood problem and asked for more proactive enforcement and operational fixes during the town hall.

Speakers described repeated dumping on corners, trash left off curbs that sanitation crews would not collect, and frustration with 311 responses. One block captain said sanitation workers will not remove trash that is not placed directly in front of a building and asked for city action to address the service gap.

Council member responses noted that the FY26 proposal includes funding to expand camera use by the streets department to catch illegal dumpers. Council members also said the district attorney’s office would receive funding for a new clean‑and‑green task force to pursue prosecutions of frequent dumpers.

Residents requested targeted sanitation patrols, clearer enforcement authority for neighborhood volunteers and nonprofit partners, and operational changes so crews will pick up trash placed in common locations. Council staff encouraged residents to file 311 complaints and share reference numbers with district council offices, which will track and escalate unresolved cases.

","Residents asked council for more targeted sanitation enforcement, on‑the‑ground pick‑ups, and expansion of cameras and prosecutions to deter illegal dumping; council cited budget proposals to fund cameras and a DA task force.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546385,"Residents press council on vacant properties, blight enforcement and support for home‑repair programs",340,1275000,1615000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850&start=1275&end=1615","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850/thumbnail_1275000.jpg","/articles/6546385/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-council-on-vacant-properties-blight-enforcement-and-support-for-homerepair-programs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546385-90f2bf8c5459e8bc4dddade4d5919541/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211181&Signature=HLZzdyg~MfeWiLguK~JykX61FVaJDW5oMFxPSQFxSujQWtnNB3saGmmPEAP~G~YMzYwPkl6miaZRJBNF6rUaAItTJlFAYpTtZ1uJBTwsw0NnCsy0tI97xIlhCTKE32vCw-v3N83G4JeECGy7hJUTwgwowlXoDPY6F7dOhHcGHtnuRGLRn-TrYn80PIteanuL-0YMWXhtiUmPKXdjUUnm-fQh5-XW8MwMg5evJjjmO0LF9Hj8D4r~E8z7pRiO4~X5DRNUqhozTTuLCY3MkjEJV7Ro5i~jM4OM0JFz8xx2~o-V5bMbHLRhFcMQ43PAWOOpAVGfiPPQ0oODp0NA0KYNqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several residents used the town hall to press council members on long‑standing neighborhood concerns tied to vacant and dilapidated properties, developer behavior and funding for home‑repair programs.

Multiple speakers said investors acquire properties and leave them empty for years, creating blight, trash and safety problems. One resident said high‑end investors own 67 buildings on a street and ‘‘they're empty, nobody's in them, they run down, they're used for drug houses.’’

Council President Kenyatta Johnson and Fifth District Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young told residents the council is pursuing tools to address blight, including a special committee focused on Act 135 enforcement. Young described Act 135 as state law that allows the city to pursue court procedures to hold owners accountable and, if necessary, forfeit properties that are not remediated and transfer them to other owners.

Neighborhood speakers also asked about city programs to help homeowners repair aging houses. One resident referenced the Philadelphia Enrichment Alliance (PEA) request for $10 million for the Built to Last program; council members confirmed that PEA has received city funding previously and that council has added $250,000 mid‑year this cycle. Council leaders said they support repair programs as part of a broader housing initiative and noted coordination between rehabilitation funding, weatherization and other home‑repair efforts.

Councilmembers encouraged residents to file 311 tickets and to share 311 reference numbers with district offices so staff can follow up and escalate problems. They also urged neighborhood organizations (RCOs) to participate in development review and to bring legal or procedural questions to district council offices for help.

","Multiple speakers at the budget town hall urged enforcement against long‑idle investor‑owned properties, asked about Act 135 enforcement and sought funding for home‑repair programs including a $10 million 'Built to Last' request.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6546390,"Philadelphia council members field community feedback on FY26 proposed budget, including tax changes and housing borrowing",5412,398000,5810000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850&start=398&end=5810","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3638620-cceecc1d3bb607beefb22a7a1ec7b850/thumbnail_398000.jpg","/articles/6546390/Philadelphia-City/Philadelphia-County/Pennsylvania/Philadelphia-council-members-field-community-feedback-on-FY26-proposed-budget-including-tax-changes-and-housing-borrowing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6546390-1b8e7f418f3873a12667820bef9466f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771211181&Signature=OWAEaKHowVgEndfuZ317UwHNkHItbzKEu3BvE5OWgeqLhkF7xj~AK598VUun1LUtS6urCMp7gX~mF6LOVy1ZACGbC8o7TMC9qaBuSyDLRrAEpoz7~5PSlvt~0BMONCW3D-opqOI7JRD-gqAdKxdYAuYuNmd9eMGfbDt0jvEZckypyHQGxpk0E9heL-bjgbrB-w1bYvE2LzX9ULsZf3QTAVwBqnh0768n8i5HoZMnXnkuCQZUnm9m7qGDg8Lt-Ta0OeDkHbHOu0zanwCOJavSfX5iKA3zw7QzUeaGrpyRnV~Ws0n5xTBufDV1Bafdtp8bbRzXoBM5FmqYzZDevo3Blw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Philadelphia City Council members and staff presented the administration's FY26 proposed budget and invited local residents to comment on priorities, tradeoffs and implementation at a \"Your City, Your Budget\" town hall hosted in the Fair Hill / Hartranft neighborhood.

Council President Kenyatta Johnson opened the meeting and emphasized that \"it's only a proposed budget from the administration, so the importance of this evening is to listen to your ideas,\" and that council will negotiate changes with the administration.

Helen Lawhead, chief financial officer for city council, provided the summary of the plan. She described the budget as the city’s annual plan that shows \"how much money will be spent on different programs and services,\" and walked through operating and capital budgets, revenue categories and the five‑year projections the administration submitted.

Lawhead said the proposal includes $2.3 billion in new operating spending and nearly $1.5 billion in new capital investments over the five‑year plan. For FY26 specifically, she said the administration projects $6.7 billion in operating spending, including $356 million in new spending, and $7.2 billion in capital spending with nearly $340 million in new capital investment for the coming fiscal year.

The CFO identified major priorities that the administration tied to the proposal: substantial public safety investments (including a new forensic center, anti‑violence grants, body camera funding and Vision Zero street safety work), clean‑and‑green initiatives, economic opportunity programs and education expansions. The plan also proposes tax changes and new borrowing to support the mayor’s housing effort.

On taxes and housing, Lawhead said the proposal would provide $210 million to reduce the wage tax and business tax and remove the construction impact tax while increasing the realty transfer tax and document recording fees to fund the mayor’s “Housing Opportunities Made Easy” initiative. The administration proposes $800 million in borrowing for that housing initiative and expects $263 million in debt service over the five‑year plan.

Council members who attended the meeting reiterated that the council’s role is to review and negotiate the proposal. Council President Johnson and Fifth District Councilmember Jeffrey J. Young said council will consider residents’ feedback as they begin negotiations with the administration.

Residents at the town hall raised questions about how the proposal would affect housing affordability, neighborhood services, parks and recreation, and neighborhood infrastructure; speakers also asked about specific line items—such as the proposed increase to the realty transfer tax—and asked for more detail on implementation and timelines.

Council members encouraged attendees to provide 311 case numbers and follow up with district offices so staff can monitor and press departments for action on local repairs and projects.

The council president closed by reminding attendees that the proposal is the administration’s starting point and that council will work to finalize a budget through negotiation and amendment.

","Council leaders and the city council CFO outlined the administration's FY26 proposed budget and heard neighborhood feedback on taxes, housing, public safety and neighborhood services at a \"Your City, Your Budget\" town hall hosted in Fair Hill.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Speakers urge additional security and weapons‑detection measures on SEPTA; council notes funding and intergovernmental needs

Neighbors call for stronger enforcement on illegal dumping and expanded 'clean and green' resources

Residents press council on vacant properties, blight enforcement and support for home‑repair programs

Philadelphia council members field community feedback on FY26 proposed budget, including tax changes and housing borrowing