civus
ResolutionLAPSED

Resolution 060119

Proposing an amendment to Bill No. 060003 which provides for the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 and a corresponding amendment to Res. No. 060019 which provides for the Five-Year Financial Plan to establish a $2.5 million fund to provide a witness protection and relocation program on behalf of the District Attorney's office.

Introduced Feb 16, 2006Committee of the WholeOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember KenneyCouncilmember Miller

Status timeline

  1. Feb 16, 2006Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Feb 16, 2006READ · CITY COUNCIL
  3. Feb 16, 2006Introduced · CITY COUNCIL
  4. Mar 7, 2006HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee of the Whole
  5. Mar 7, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  6. Mar 7, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  7. Mar 8, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  8. Mar 8, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  9. Mar 14, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  10. Mar 14, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  11. Mar 15, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  12. Mar 15, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  13. Mar 21, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  14. Mar 21, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  15. Mar 22, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  16. Mar 22, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  17. Mar 28, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  18. Mar 28, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  19. Mar 29, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  20. Mar 29, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  21. Apr 4, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  22. Apr 4, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  23. Apr 5, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  24. Apr 5, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  25. Apr 6, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  26. Apr 6, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  27. Apr 19, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  28. Apr 19, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  29. Apr 27, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  30. Apr 27, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole
  31. May 4, 2006HEARING HELD · Committee of the Whole
  32. May 4, 2006RECESSED · Committee of the Whole

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

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..Title Proposing an amendment to Bill No. 060003 which provides for the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 and a corresponding amendment to Res. No. 060019 which provides for the Five-Year Financial Plan to establish a $2.5 million fund to provide a witness protection and relocation program on behalf of the District Attorney's office. ..Body WHEREAS, Witness intimidation is a powerful weapon used by violent criminals to instill fear and a reluctance to cooperate with law enforcement; and WHEREAS, There has been a violent trend in the City of Philadelphia. Last year alone, there were 380 homicides, up from 349 in 2003. And, this year appears to be following this tragic pattern. Since January 1, 2006 and as of February 15th, there have been 41 homicides; and WHEREAS, One of these homicide victims was Tyreese Allen, who on February 3, 2006 was murdered because he choose to come forward and testify against a violent criminal; and WHEREAS, Without witnesses, it is nearly impossible to prosecute violent criminals; and WHEREAS, The most effective way to combat witness intimidation is to ensure witness protection; and WHEREAS, While there is already a pool of $500,000 available through the state Attorney General's Office for witness relocation expenses, this fund is for the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and does not cover key components such as financial incentives or advertising; and WHEREAS, The revolving fund would be dedicated to a witness protection and relocation program, combined with a financial incentive component to entice witnesses to come forward and cooperate in the apprehension and prosecution of violent criminals. The fund would also go towards an advertising component to educate and heighten city-wide public awareness of the program's existence; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That we hereby propose an amendment to Bill No. 060003 which provides for the Operating Budget for Fiscal Year 2007 and a corresponding amendment to Res. No. 060019 which provides for the Five-Year Financial Plan to establish a $2.5 million fund to provide a witness protection and relocation program on behalf of the District Attorney's office. ..End