PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and the Parker administration today praised Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for a series of legislative initiatives introduced in City Council, which address problems in Kensington associated with widespread illegal drug activity which erodes neighbors’ quality of life.

“On day one of my administration, I issued a Declaration of a Public Safety Emergency, and made clear we would not tolerate these kinds of quality-of-life crimes and nuisance behaviors,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “I want to strongly commend Councilmember Quetcy Lozada for her legislation, and we look forward to working with her as these bills move through Council’s legislative process. The purpose of the legislation introduced is to address the kinds of social ills – open-air drug markets, illegal drug activity, nuisance businesses – that erode quality of life in neighborhoods across our city, including Kensington. We will not stand for it during the Parker administration.”

During her first month in office, Mayor Parker has focused her administration’s lens on the many problems existing in Kensington. The mayor has issued an executive order Declaring a Public Safety Emergency, directing the Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel to develop a comprehensive plan to address public safety, including dealing with open-air drug markets in Kensington. The mayor also directed Managing Director Adam Thiel to convene local, state and federal partners to explore every option and funding source for providing long-term housing, care and treatment for our most vulnerable citizens, including the unhoused and those suffering from addiction and mental health challenges.

“Through our first few weeks in office, I’ve made it clear: the rampant illegal drug activity and other quality-of-life nuisances taking place in Kensington will not be tolerated by the Parker administration,” Mayor Parker said. “And we look forward to working with our strong partners in City Council, including Councilmember Lozada, on this important legislation.”