PHILADELPHIA POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 22 2026POLITICS

Smoke shops under fire in Philly over unregulated products

Philadelphia is debating new rules for smoke shops that sell unregulated substances like kratom and hemp-based THC. Two bills aim to tighten control by classifying these products as "intoxicating, " requiring special licenses, and testing for safety. Buyers would also need to be over 21. The push co

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May 18 2026TECHNOLOGY

Finding Cars, Finding People: How Plate‑Scanning Helps

Police can now chase a suspect or rescue someone missing by simply watching car plates. When a driver’s number plate passes an automatic reader, the system logs its exact location and time. This tiny piece of data can turn a vague “someone is on the road” into a clear “vehicle was here at 3:15

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May 13 2026EDUCATION

How Philadelphia can make fairer school decisions

Philadelphia is dealing with big choices about schools—some might close while others may need renewal. These aren’t just numbers on a page; buildings left empty and fewer students mean tough times for neighborhoods. But when schools shut down or charters lose approval, whole families feel it. Parent

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May 11 2026CRIME

Neighbors Woke Up to Police in Their Driveways After Night of Gunfire

Police were already on high alert when the first call came in at 10:30 p. m. on a Saturday night. Someone nearby reported hearing gunfire in North Fair Oaks, an area near San Francisco with a mix of families and quiet streets. Officers arrived to find 34-year-old Jose Gayton, a man undergoing what w

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May 08 2026CRIME

Efforts to cut crime in two Ohio cities lead to 10 major arrests

Police in Ohio ran joint operations in Cleveland and Cincinnati last Wednesday night as part of a wider plan to stop gun violence. The focus was simple: get illegal firearms off the streets before they cause harm. Ten people now face felony charges across the two cities. In Cleveland, teams made tw

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May 05 2026CRIME

Tracking trouble: How a five-year effort failed to prevent a violent act

Police records show officers repeatedly tried to help a man whose mental health struggles led to increasingly disruptive behavior. Neighbors first flagged concerns in 2021 after he was seen with a gun and acting strangely near his home. Officers responded but couldn’t force treatment or remove his w

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Apr 25 2026CRIME

Shots at Apartment Complex, No Injuries

Police set up a crime scene in the parking lot of an apartment building called The Collective on Aspen Heights Parkway. The incident happened Friday night around 8:37 p. m. A call reported that someone had fired shots nearby, but no one was hurt. Officers arrived quickly and checked the are

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Apr 21 2026CRIME

HYBE Boss Faces Legal Scrutiny Over IPO Deal

Police in Seoul are pushing for a detention order against Bang Si‑hyuk, the chief of music firm HYBE, after allegations that he misled investors before the company went public. The claim is that Bang steered early shareholders to sell their shares to a private fund tied to his associates, then profi

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Apr 18 2026CRIME

Surveillance Helps Police Stop Three Night‑time Shootings in Atlanta Area

Police say that a security camera installed by a homeowners association in Brookhaven was key to catching the person who fired shots at three people during one night. The footage helped investigators track the suspect’s movements across several locations in metro Atlanta. The first incident involve

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Apr 15 2026POLITICS

Small‑Biz Tax Storm: Philly’s New Burden

Philadelphia has pushed a new Business Income and Receipts Tax (BIRT) onto small owners, even those with sales under $100, 000. The city will charge $1. 41 per thousand dollars in sales and $57. 10 per thousand in profits, a change that was previously exempt for many sole proprietors. About 75, 000

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