Council To Address Rec Center Violence At Only Hearing Of Summer

For the first time this summer, and apparently the last, Philadelphia City Council is holding a hearing today. The Parks and Recreation Committee is looking at a recent spate of rec center violence.

Eighth District Councilwoman Cindy Bass called today’s hearing in the wake of several high-profile crimes at rec centers, including a triple shooting at an East Germantown playground, in Bass’s district.

“So we want to ask the question, why does that happen and how can we prevent it, and how do we move forward and make sure that we can have events that are successful, that are non-violent and that can bring together young people from all different neighborhoods in Philadelphia. How do we make that happen?”

This is an informational hearing; no actual legislation is before the committee. No other hearings are scheduled this month.

The summer break is a longstanding tradition that began decades ago, before council chambers had air conditioning. City Council resumes its regular meetings and consideration of new laws and regulations the second week of September.