by Nathaniel Lee
Guest Columnist
Crime has been the focus of Philadelphia residents–with many reporting that they feel unsafe, and for good reason; with carjackings, home invasions, gun violence, and blatant disregard for the law, residents are concerned about their well-being and safety within city limits. Caught in the seemingly inescapable grip of drugs, crime, and blight, Philadelphia residents have endured an ongoing battle to live a decent quality of life.
When the community needs help, they turn to the police–but they can’t do it alone. When the police need help, they turn to such groups as the Philadelphia Community Outreach, which has proven effective in several troubled areas in West Philadelphia.
“The organization’s mission is to rid the community of open-air drug operations by working with community stakeholders, elected officials, the police department, and the district attorney,” said Ishaq Samai, founder of the Philadelphia Community Outreach. “We serve the Philadelphia community at large because we are all affected by crime and gun violence,” said Samai. Big talk, right? Many groups and organizations have emerged from seemingly nowhere with a similar message, but the results distinguish this group.
The group also helped put an end to a 10-year open-air drug operation at 41st and Parrish in West Philadelphia and established the group, “Holly Street Neighbors.”
From there, they proceeded to Holly and Reno and Holly and Parrish Streets drug operations, which previously operated some three years prior to the efforts of the Philadelphia Community Outreach organizers. There, they established the Philadelphia Collaborative Community Organization, consisting of concerned individuals, groups, and organizations working together to see that the progress made would not dissipate with the advancement of time.
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