Honoring and recognizing the 18th Police District Tactical Squad for its valiant efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in West Philadelphia.

Honoring and recognizing the 18th Police District Tactical Squad for its valiant efforts to reduce gun violence and enhance public safety in West Philadelphia. WHEREAS, Police District Tactical Squads proactively target specific community issues whether they be violent, property, or quality of life crimes; and WHEREAS, P/O Kevin Tilghman, P/O Kevin Semonelle, P/O Peter Sztenderowicz, P/O George Tsoflias, P/O Kevin Krowicki, P/O Joseph McCarthy, P/O Aaron Turner, P/O Eric Schroder, P/O Brandon Sweeney, P/O Zachary DePerro, P/O Jeffrey Bascomb, and P/O Jessie West serve on the 18th District Tactical Squad, which covers Cobbs Creek and University City; and WHEREAS, In 2022, the 18th District Tactical Squad made a record high number of firearms arrests during a time when Philadelphia saw a record high in gun violence. This same year, the 18th District had a 16% reduction in shooting victims ; and WHEREAS, In 2022 and 2023, the 12 officers, just ten percent of the District staffing level, made nearly 70% of the firearm arrests in the 18th District; and WHEREAS, In total, the officers completed 287 arrests for Part 1 offenses (murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, etc.), 152 Part 2 Offenses (simple assault, curfew offenses and loitering, embezzlement, disorderly conduct, etc.), and 256 firearm offenses (Violations of the Uniform Firearm Act (VUFA)); and WHEREAS, On 1/25/2022 at 9:15pm, P/O Turner and P/O Schroder initiated a vehicle stop…