The City of Chester deserves to be recognized for its achievements in coming out on the other side, following years of being plagued by senseless, violent homicides, which cost countless residents their lives and further plunged numerous families into grief, creating more profound trauma for a community that has been navigating the hardships of trauma for far too long.
It’s great to see Chester recognized as a model for cities struggling with gun violence. Still, the zero homicide numbers touted by Governor Josh Shapiro, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer, Mayor Stefan Roots, Chester Police Commissioner Katrina Blackwell, and Sergeant Kyle Battinieri at last month’s press conference were all part of the collaborative efforts of many grassroots organizations, law enforcement agencies, and ordinary citizens.
Making a Change Group (MACG) is an organization with boots on the ground and hands-on, maintaining a consistent presence in the community. It played an integral role in transforming Chester’s negative homicide rate into a positive one, making it a model for the Commonwealth…