PHILADELPHIA (KYW NEWSRADIO) — Philadelphia Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel has been onn the job a little over a month, and has inherited a number of ongoing problems in the city, such as gun violence, retail theft, low recruitment, and a rising youth violent crime rate, to name a few.
But with a new administration at his back, Bethel projected confidence on a recent visit to KYW to talk through his plans.
On gun violence — the issue that remains at the top of his list — Bethel said he would continue to focus efforts on the districts where the most gun violence occurs.
“We have about 10 districts that represent about 80% of the violence in our city,” Bethel said.
Youth charged with violent crimes have also increased over the last few years, and Bethel’s past experience working as Chief of School Safety at the Philadelphia School District could make him more apt than others to stem the trend.
For him, it starts with parents.
“Being in their lives is the first part,” said Bethel. “Having a positive adult in a child’s life we know works, so don’t cast that away.”