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Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola

Philly-based journo, currently at @kensingtonvoice. Formerly @whyy @capradionews. @medill grad @nlgja, @AHCJ . Send tips and tidbits to sammy.caiola@gmail.com

Joined January 2014
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Philly is challenging a state trust that disapproved of its opioid settlement fund spending in Kensington, the epicenter of the crisis in Philly. @EmilyKRizzo and I have been reporting on the debate since June for @kensingtonvoice and NPR: npr.org/sections/shots-healt…

Philadelphia criticized for how it's spending millions from opioid lawsuits

Philadelphia has disputed a state ruling that it should not have spent money from opioid-related legal settlements on home repairs and small businesses in an area ravaged by the drug epidemic.

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In Philly's Kensington neighborhood, city officials are still grasping for ways to address the opioid crisis. @kensingtonvoice looked at how an influx of drug possession arrests would impact addiction treatment in jails: kensingtonvoice.com/en/jail-…

As city leaders eye jail to clean up Kensington, facilities say they’re stretched too thin.

Prison staff say the staffing shortage makes it impossible to deliver timely, high-quality care for the approximately 4,700 people incarcerated in Philadelphia’s jails daily – a majority of whom...

kensingtonvoice.com
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Then yesterday, we dug into a decision from a PA trust that oversees opioid settlement dollars about whether the money can be used for community improvement: kensingtonvoice.com/en/phill…

Philly’s use of some opioid dollars for Kensington is “non-compliant,” per state trust. Future...

The state trust that oversees the disbursement of opioid settlement dollars says Philadelphia improperly used $7.5 million on eviction prevention, home repair, and improvements to schools and parks.

kensingtonvoice.com
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Keep following @EmilyKRizzo and I for developments on Mayor Cherelle Parker's five-phase Kensington Initiative, and the impacts of PPD's decision to send 75 new police academy graduates to the neighborhood this week: kensingtonvoice.com/en/phill…

Philly police to begin “active enforcement” in Kensington: “We will be making arrests”

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Bethel named gun violence and illegal drug activity as top priorities, plus other crimes “that have kept that community pretty much imprisoned for a long time.”

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Wild week at @kensingtonvoice. Before the city’s planned May 8 clearing of a homeless encampment on Kensington Ave, @emilykrizzo and I put out this story about the city’s partnership with a church that sends people to “Christian facilities” for treatment: shorturl.at/IKSY4

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The District Attorney’s Office has not been involved in Mayor Cherelle Parker’s Kensington plans. The Defender Association of Philadelphia called the sweep “draconian”. The Citizens Police Oversight Commission is conducting an “after action review”: shorturl.at/czU39

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The story isn’t over. We’re still investigating how ramped-up law enforcement presence and dwindling harm reduction resources are impacting the community. Also Rock Ministries, police misconduct and HIV rates. Stay tuned.
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Warm weather usually means an uptick in shootings. Philly's block captains hope to get trained to address youth trauma and deescalate conflict as a means of community-grown violence prevention. For @LoveNowMedia : lovenowmedia.com/philly-bloc…

Philly Block Captains Hope Cleanups and Care Will Keep Streets Safe from Gun Violence - Love Now...

Philadelphia block captains are leveraging community care and cleanups to address gun violence. Through initiatives like summer programs, cleanup days, and neighborhood engagement, block captains are...

lovenowmedia.com
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I've spent some of my time at @kensingtonvoice trying to understand what addiction treatment resources exist in Philly, and talking to people who use drugs in Kensington about their needs. Meanwhile, political leaders are making police-centered plans: kensingtonvoice.com/en/phill…

‘A big carousel ride’: Philly leaders want to “triage” people using drugs in Kensington to treatm...

A coalition of City Council members who have described themselves as “the Kensington caucus” say they’re working to create a “triage” system for people who are unhoused and living with addiction in...

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Violence intervention models aren't just for the streets - one Philly high school is trying to provide mentorship, hope to students at high risk. @ChalkbeatPHL chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2…

‘We try to fill the idle time.’ One school’s strategy to halt gun violence and fights.

A pilot project at Philadelphia’s Bartram High School relies on everyone from case managers and a researcher to law enforcement to help students who have been involved in violent incidents or have...

chalkbeat.org
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I heard some Philadelphians were mopping up blood and other bio waste after shootings, so I started looking for a better solution. The City of Philadelphia is trying one out: whyy.org/articles/crime-scen…

Philly will soon contract with bio waste company for crime scene cleanup

When someone is shot on a Philadelphia street, residents often handle the crime scene. City leaders are piloting a new protocol to help.

whyy.org
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Are you a reporter or editor hoping to learn more about how to cover America's gun violence crisis with care and accuracy? Check out this webinar from @AHCJ tomorrow! I'm joining a stellar panel including Philly's own @floodthedrummer : healthjournalism.org/event/g…
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Announcement! I've resigned from my position as gun violence prevention reporter at WHYY. I'm still in Philly, currently working on some projects of my own. More to come! For now, many thanks to all of my wonderful former colleagues who welcomed me to the city and the beat.
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"The protection and care of community members is not 'not a chokehold'" - Philly activist Samantha Rise on George Floyd's death, and the continued oppression of Black Philadelphians. Words, sound, video at @WHYYNews : whyy.org/articles/philadelph…

Philly activists say 3 years after George Floyd’s murder, reforms don’t go far enough

Activists say the energy and purpose of the George Floyd protests continue to fuel social justice fights three years later.

whyy.org
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Philadelphia says efforts to give funding to anti-violence nonprofits have been successful despite some hiccups. Activists have ideas for how to improve the process. More on @WHYYNews : whyy.org/articles/philadelph…

Philly gun violence groups says city grant program is crucial, but needs improvement

The city allocated $13.5 million to gun violence prevention nonprofits in 2022, and now they’re evaluating its impact. The second round of the program is already underway.

whyy.org
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