Verdict: Kept
Make Philadelphia the 'safest, cleanest, greenest big city' in America — with a specific focus on reducing homicides and gun violence.
Cherelle ParkerMayor, Philadelphia·November 15, 2023
Source: Campaign slogan and platform [link]
Public SafetyMeasurable
What was promised
Metric: Homicide rate, shooting victims
Target: Significant year-over-year reduction
What actually happened
Result: Homicides down 37%, shootings down 35% in 2024; 82% clearance rate in 2025
Homicides declined 37% in 2024 compared to the prior year, and shooting victims dropped 35%. Commissioner Kevin Bethel's department achieved an 82% homicide clearance rate in 2025 — the highest in 40 years. This represents one of the sharpest crime declines among major US cities.
Data sources: Philadelphia Police Department, The Trace, Axios Philadelphia
Verdict: Kept
This promise was fully delivered based on the available evidence. The target was met or exceeded.