Letters to the Editor | May 17, 2023

City Council’s recent proposal to ban supervised safe injection sites in half of the city is a misguided political move that will only worsen the opioid crisis. With Philadelphia being one of the hardest-hit cities by the opioid epidemic, safe injection sites are necessary. These sites have been shown to decrease opioid deaths, prevent the spread of illness, and connect vulnerable individuals to health and social services. In 2021, Philadelphia had over 1,200 opioid overdose deaths. Safe injection sites are not a standalone solution to our city’s opioid epidemic. Rather, they are part of a broader harm reduction strategy that includes outreach, education, and support for those who use drugs.

Instead of using evidence-based strategies to assist those struggling with addiction, the five councilmembers who back the proposal have chosen to disregard medical consensus in favor of political gain. This is a troubling sign from leadership. People struggling with addiction need support, not judgment. These sites offer a critical lifeline to those who may not otherwise seek help, and lessen the burden on local hospitals and services. By banning safe injection sites, City Council is turning a blind eye to the realities of addiction while jeopardizing the lives of thousands of vulnerable Philadelphians.

Lauren Rainier, master of public health candidate, Drexel University

On any given day, as I venture into Philly, I expect to see at least one if not multiple homeless people relieving themselves on the sidewalk. I feel terrible for them, as I’m sure that isn’t their dignified choice. But what can they do about it? The increase in passcode-protected bathrooms and retailers closing due to COVID-19 has further constrained the number of free bathrooms available. The Free Library of Philadelphia, the Fashion District, Jefferson Station, and the Independence Visitor Center are some of the only places that provide basic sanitation services throughout the city. This makes for extremely undignified situations for the homeless, especially for women.

Bridging the gap in restroom access is essential for public health. In 2019, Philadelphia residents experienced a hepatitis A outbreak of 445 cases. Hepatitis A is commonly spread when food or water is contaminated with feces, and perhaps unsurprisingly, many of those infected were homeless. Taxpayers in the City of Brotherly Love need to lobby legislators to support the homeless and change the hostile architecture that exists today. We need to band together and push lawmakers to act. Expanding access to public restrooms not only benefits the homeless; while out in the city, everyone will eventually need to find a bathroom to use. More public bathrooms not only make the city more sanitary but also more accessible for all.

Jessica Guo, Philadelphia

The Pennridge school board members who won the last election on a platform of “Parents over Politics” have since shown that the only parental voices they support are those who agree with their partisan political agenda. Their approval of policies and contracts despite the vocal objection of an overwhelming number of community members shows they do not care to represent all parents in the district. The board has repeatedly stated that parents should have access to review curriculum and books upon request. However, this is not what is being followed when it comes to Hillsdale College’s “1776 Curriculum,” which the board has recommended as a resource to be overlaid with the district’s current curriculum.

Recently, the board majority approved a contract with Vermillion Education, a consulting company with ties to Hillsdale, with the item placed on the agenda at the last possible minute. The 1776 Curriculum has been rightly criticized as a biased political approach to teaching history, religion, government, and the evolution of the U.S. Everyone says they want politics out of education, but this board has pushed a one-sided political agenda into the school district with no regard for the diversity in our community. The diverse backgrounds of the many families represented in the school district should be reflected in our education. True freedom starts with unbiased and truthful instruction.

Edward Lawson, Perkasie

Current presidential primary scheduling unfairly restricts some voters’ chances to express their choice. To wit, if you are not in one of the early state primaries, your preferred candidate might no longer be in the running by the time of your state’s primary due to lack of voter support in earlier rounds. The only way to give every voter in the country an equal chance to vote for their favorite person is to hold all primaries on the same day. This would essentially be an extension of “Super Tuesday” — but with all states holding votes. We could have the primaries in March, giving all candidates a chance to get their messages out. All voters would have an equal chance to have their voices heard. The winner would reflect the entire country’s will.

John D’Angelo, Fort Washington

Philadelphia is highly recognized for its landmarks and rich culture, but it also has an ongoing issue of urban decay. With a growing number of abandoned buildings because of population decline and tax delinquency, Philadelphia faces an uphill struggle to preserve its appeal and safety. Neglected properties may lead to hazardous living conditions, increased crime rates, and contribute to the city’s general economic deterioration.

As a teenager living in Philadelphia, I often see multiple unused properties that are in poor condition and falling apart. Urban decay must be addressed to guarantee the city’s safety and prosperity. Local government should take initiatives to make property taxes more reasonable and provide incentives for organizations to invest in the city. It should also increase funding for organizations that work to find housing for Philadelphia residents who struggle, while many buildings and lots sit vacant. People must be made aware of the problem and advocate for legislative changes to minimize the amount of abandoned real estate in the city. We can only assure Philadelphia’s future prosperity and safety through a collaborative effort.

Britney Lu, Philadelphia

An AARP-commissioned survey of Philadelphians 50 and older showed that 96% of respondents believe it’s essential that the next mayor works to make sure that the city’s streets, sidewalks, and intersections are well-lit and accessible. Overwhelmingly, respondents also want safe, convenient, affordable, and well-maintained public transportation options. Philadelphia’s Vision Zero program, a multiagency effort to tackle the public health issue of traffic deaths and serious injuries and reduce them to zero by 2030, is a critical part of keeping people safe on our city’s streets. This issue is of particular importance to Philadelphians who are 50 and older (who represented about 37% of total traffic deaths in 2022).

Managing traffic speeds is crucial to achieving zero fatalities. Designing roads for safety, setting lower speed limits, and effectively enforcing speed limits by using automated speed enforcement technologies would be more effective and equitable than traditional officer-initiated enforcement. AARP Pennsylvania supported the passage of the law that created the successful speed camera program for Roosevelt Boulevard and would like to see it expanded. While the Kenney administration has moved the needle forward on Vision Zero issues, the city’s next mayor will need to do more to speed up the process to slow down traffic and keep Philadelphians safe.

Yocasta Lora, state advocacy and community engagement manager, and Randy LoBasso, associate state director of communications, AARP Pennsylvania

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