Philadelphia police are closing homicide cases at a rate the city hasn\u2019t seen in decades. The clearance rate has climbed to nearly 90%, a forty-year record high. Just a few years ago, the department was solving fewer than half of the city\u2019s murders.<\/p>\n
What\u2019s behind this dramatic shift? Crime is down since its pandemic peak, allowing detectives to devote more attention to each case. Technology is also playing a role. A wider network of surveillance cameras, improved data-sharing between units, and new forensic tools have allowed the police to collect better evidence for investigations.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
This hour, we\u2019ll examine what\u2019s driving the high clearance rate, how these trends are shaping day-to-day policing, and what the numbers can \u2013 and can\u2019t \u2013 tell us about safety in the city. We\u2019ll also hear from a resident who is still waiting for justice for their brother\u2019s killing.<\/p>\n
Guests:<\/p>\n
Frank Vanore<\/a>, deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department<\/p>\n Ellie Rushing<\/a>, criminal justice reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer<\/p>\n Brett Roman Williams<\/a>, board chair of the Anti-Violence Partnership<\/p>\n