The Philadelphia Police Department will increase the number of city police officers and anti-violence workers over the Memorial Day weekend due to increased gun violence and the killing of two teenagers earlier this week.

Police Chief Danielle Outlaw (Danielle Outlaw) said that in the summer, shootings tend to increase. The city holds a gun violence briefing every two weeks. As most of the pandemic-related restrictions are about to ease, Outlaw said the department expects more people.

The police will increase patrols and inspections in commercial corridors and hot spots throughout the city, and will target illegal pop-up blockers.

Also convened is a community crisis intervention planning team, which includes “reliable messengers” from various vulnerable communities in 13 police districts.

Police said 35 envoys will be out on Friday and Saturday, and many more will be on standby throughout the long weekend. Families who need non-emergency intervention at any time can call (215) 800-4611.

As more and more force emerges, Philadelphia has already suffered a high rate of violence. As of May 23, there have been 815 shooting incidents, an increase of 39% over last year.

Outlaw said in the briefing: “Frankly, we have been seeing these steady growth over the past few months.” “We think that cool weather will slow things down. It’s not.

Urban Homicide rate A severe milestone was reached last weekend, with the total number of killings exceeding 200. As of May 26, the death toll was 210, an increase of 43% over the previous year.

“They are far more than one number,” Outlaw said. “These lost lives are members of the community. The entire community is affected, and the life of the family will change forever.”

Within 30 minutes of Tuesday night, 15-year-old Kanye Pitman and 18-year-old Nasir Marquez were fatally shot at miles apart.

At around 7:30 on Tuesday night, Max was shot several times in the 3900 block of Poplar Street in West Philadelphia. According to CBS3.

At around 8 o’clock that night, Pittman was shot and killed in the 2500 neighborhood of Sydenham Street in North Philadelphia.

At 11:30 that night, the third 16-year-old was shot in the thigh in the 3800 block of North 6th Street in Hunting Park. He is currently in stable condition in the hospital.

Deputy Commissioner Ben Nash said: “I can tell you that continuing violence involving young people is something we are doing everything we can to determine the areas that may occur, but we don’t have all the answers.” “We need the help of the public, we need the community. , We need family participation.”