Sammy Caiola

Philly-based journo, currently at @kensingtonvoice. Formerly @whyy @capradionews. @medill grad @nlgja, @AHCJ . Send tips and tidbits to [email protected]

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/TeSbeZJ2YT

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

@RobinCogan Thank you for following, Robin!

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/vS1bNUKItj

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/vbbtHaJTHl

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/548Ls2BCzS

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

@NaseemMiller Thanks for reposting Naseem!

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

@EmilyKRizzo @thesmallpicture 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.

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/2oWjJBpgYj

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

@EmilyKRizzo @thesmallpicture 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”: https://t.co/fmg16A39mK

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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 : https://t.co/eH8fJ023gS

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/GQK0zM9RKb

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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 https://t.co/xEuJp4oc1I

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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: https://t.co/gFzWIWDBhS

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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 : https://t.co/0WsrAyEZNZ

[Sammy Caiola @SammyCaiola]

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.