Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker pledges public safety focus, green initiatives at inauguration
Tuesday marked a historic moment in Philadelphia as Mayor Cherelle Parker, the city’s first female mayor, was sworn into office during her inauguration ceremony at The Met. In an address to the city, Parker outlined her administration’s priorities for the first 100 days, including a focus on public safety and green initiatives.
During her campaign, Parker promised to make Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the United States. In her first 100 days, she plans to declare a public safety emergency and work closely with new Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel to address key issues. This includes eliminating open-air drug markets in Kensington and implementing a new approach to address quality-of-life issues in the city.
Parker emphasized the importance of staying true to herself and her vision for the city. She stated, Standing here today as the 100th Mayor of Philadelphia – the city’s first woman mayor – that everyone in the city will see something of themselves in me, and that they will give me their confidence and grace as we set forth to lead our city.
Since winning the November election, Parker has been diligently assembling her cabinet and other key figures in her administration. She plans to sign three executive orders on her first day in office, focusing on public safety, economic opportunities, and government visibility.
Residents of Philadelphia have expressed their support for the changes that Parker aims to bring to City Hall. Her plans include adding more police officers to the streets, with an emphasis on community policing. The mayor also stressed the importance of police officers acting as guardians, not warriors.
One of Parker’s top priorities is to permanently shut down open-air drug markets, particularly in Kensington. She also intends to address property and quality-of-life crimes such as car theft, shoplifting, and illegal ATV use. Parker believes that by targeting the hardest-hit neighborhoods, her administration can make a significant impact on improving the overall quality of life in Philadelphia.
Under her Clean and Green Initiatives, Parker plans to focus on cleaning up the streets, reducing waste, and increasing recycling in the city. She aims to make Philadelphia more environmentally friendly and sustainable for future generations.
In addition to her commitment to public safety and green initiatives, Mayor Parker wants to make Philadelphia more business-friendly. She plans to eliminate unnecessary permits and regulations to streamline the process for businesses operating in the city.
Parker also intends to create more opportunities for city residents, including improving access to housing for both renters and homeowners. She will review the challenges of developing vacant, city-owned properties through a comprehensive analysis of the Land Bank system.
Education is another key area of focus for Parker. She plans to develop out-of-school programs and job opportunities for Philadelphia students. Additionally, she wants to modernize city schools to ensure that all children have access to clean and well-equipped facilities.
To foster collaboration and engagement, Mayor Parker will establish three roundtables: intergovernmental, business, and faith-based. These roundtables will bring together key stakeholders to address various challenges facing the city.
As Mayor Cherelle Parker officially begins her term, she is determined to lead Philadelphia in a new direction. With her focus on public safety, green initiatives, and community engagement, she aims to make the city a better place for all residents.
