Cities Step Up to Clean Up After Violence

In Philadelphia, a grandmother named Addie Dempsey had to scrub the blood of her grandson from the sidewalk after he was shot. This wasn't a one-time thing. Many families in her neighborhood have faced the same grim task, cleaning up after violence with no help or resources. This situation caught the attention of Philadelphia’s public safety director, Adam Geer. He thought it was wrong that families had to deal with this alone. So, the city started a program to send professional cleanup crews to crime scenes in the worst-hit areas. The goal? To make sure no one has to clean up after a tragedy by themselves. But why should cities handle this? Blood and other biohazards can spread serious diseases if not cleaned up properly. Plus, families already dealing with grief shouldn’t have to handle this dangerous task. It’s a public health issue, not just a messy problem. Other cities have different ways of handling this. Some help families pay for cleanup after the fact. Others have teams ready to go when needed. But the main idea is the same: no one should have to clean up after violence alone. Philadelphia’s program is still new, but it’s a step in the right direction. It shows that cities can take responsibility and help families in their darkest moments. But what about other places? If one city can do it, why can’t others? The big question is: how can we make sure everyone gets the help they need, not just a few? It’s not just about cleaning up. It’s about showing people they matter, even in the worst times.