Strengthen the crackdown on carjacking; New Airbnb Rules Go Into Effect; Vax rates in retirement homes | Sunday overview
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RECAP: A look back at the week that was
• New carjacking unit
With carjackings keep climbing — more than 1,300 were reported in 2022, after an already high 750 in 2021 – DA Krasner announced a new carjacking unit, created through a $1.5 million budget increase mid-year. Almost half of 305 people arrested this year for the carjacking in Philadelphia were teenagers, the following a national trend. [Inquirer$/Axios/Phila DA/NYT$]
• Pa. lags behind vax rate in nursing homes
Only 25% of long-term care facilities in Philadelphia and 35% in Pennsylvania say at least three-quarters of residents are fully up to date on COVID vaccines. This puts the Commonwealth behind 25 other states on rates of bivalent booster vax in nursing homes, experts worry – though there hasn’t yet been a spike in deaths linked or hospitalizations. [DOH/Inquirer$/CMS Gov/BP 2021]
• Mayoral candidates talk about gentrification
In the first of what will be a repeating series, we asked Philadelphia mayoral candidates what they think about gentrification — and four of them gave us answers. What problem you haven’t heard of yet would you like us to ask you the following question? Reply or simply email [email protected] with your ideas. [Billy Penn]
• Philadelphia esports team heads to Korea
After his plans for build an esports arena alongside Xfinity Live collapsed, Comcast Spectator is moving its Overwatch League team to Korea. Once called the Philadelphia Fusion – although few players had even visited the city – professional gamers will now be known as Seoul Infernal, where operations had been centered since the start of the pandemic. [Technically/BP 2018/Comcast Spectator]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Pa. House’s power struggle begins
The new session of the Pennsylvania Legislature begins Tuesday, with nearly 50 new state representatives and six new state senators are sworn in. Several House seats are vacant, meaning the chamber’s starting balance will be 101-99 in favor of Republicans, despite the Democrats winning 103-102 in November. Will Philly declare Rep. Joanna McClinton be elected president? It’s still up in the air. [Spotlight PA/City & State]
• The Philadelphia Ethics Committee will monitor
Philadelphia law cap campaign contributions to $12,600, but there’s no limit on how much a super PAC can spend. However, these committees cannot legally coordinate with applicants. After reports that Jeff Brown and Amen Brown will probably be both benefit from super PAC supportthe president and executive director of the Philadelphia Board of Ethics issued a strongly worded warning against co-ordination. [Phila Gov/Billy Penn/Al Dia/Inquirer$]
• New Airbnb rules come into effect
Stricter regulations for Airbnbs in Philadelphia, which have been Board approved in the summer of 2021 after several a dangerous building collapses, finally come into force this week after a six-month delay. The law obliges anyone who rents a space where they live to obtain a “limited hosting operator” license. It’s not expensive, but requires a proper zoning permit and prove that the space is up to code. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/BP 2019/Inquirer$/Airbnb]
• chicks, milkshakes and a giant butter sculpture
the AP Agricultural Exhibition returns for a 107th year next weekend, taking over the purpose-built complex in Harrisburg to showcase the state’s $185 billion agricultural industry. If you’ve never been there, it’s a fun experience (just ask former Mayor John Street, a self-proclaimed “farm show junkie”). Even if you can’t figure it out yourself, get excited about this year’s butter sculpture reveal – even though it will be hard to beat. [Pa. Gov/BP x 3]
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