Forum in Phila. looks at the “stop snitching” culture

The United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania this morning will host a forum that examines the city's "stop snitching" culture.

The forum, which will begin at 10 a.m. and be held in the Civic Space at WHYY-TV on Sixth Street in Center City, will examine the root causes of the "Code of Silence/Stop Snitching" movement. Participants will include Common Pleas Judge Renee Cardwell-Hughes; Darryl Coates, executive director of the Philadelphia Anti-Drug Anti-Violence Network; Dorothy Johnson Speight, founder of Mothers in Charge; and Everett Gillison, Philadelphia's deputy mayor for public safety.

Participants say the "Stop Snitchin" movement has grown despite efforts by police and community leaders to encourage residents to come forward with information regarding violent crimes in their area.