Battle Royale Against Bad Vibes in Kensington: Mayoral Hopeful’s Daring Plan
PHILADELPHIA — Imagine strolling down the street and suddenly facing a parade of stumbling addicts on a wild, hazy journey. That’s Kensington’s grim reality – open-air drug scenes and chaos that might just make your head spin. But here comes David Oh, the mayoral nominee on a mission. He’s tired of this mess and wants to pull off a street makeover to rescue the locals from this trippy nightmare.
Oh, a Republican with a plan, is all in on saving Kensington Avenue from its reputation. “We’re aiming to erase Kensington Avenue from the map of this region. The sooner, the better,” he quipped.
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Should he win, Oh plans to unleash drones on the scene, hunting down illegal activities and giving cops the green light to swoop in and clean house. But not everyone’s on the same wavelength. A local do-gooder, Britt Carpenter, isn’t convinced either of the major candidates can sprinkle a magic wand over Kensington.
Oh is convinced the locals have seen enough failure. “They’ve had their fill of this circus,” he said. “They want something that actually makes sense. They’re crying out for change.”
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On Kensington Avenue, it’s practically a party zone for public drug use. Users converge to deal and get their fix. (Megan Myers/Fox News Digital)
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Mayor Jim Kenney’s office replied to this dilemma by saying they’re on the same page as Kensington folks. “We’re totally down to sort out encampments and tackle public annoyances round the clock. Got a beef? Dial 311 or slide into our online form and let it rip,” said the Mayor’s spokesperson.
However, Oh’s not clapping for that response. He insists the city’s just slacking off. He’s all about turning the tables, pushing for an all-out shutdown of the drug fiesta. And trust him, he’s got some tricks up his sleeve. Drones are on the menu, descending on the scene to catch crooks in the act.
As for the crooks, they might get a heads-up before the police’s grand entrance.
Oh’s Declaration of War on Kensington Chaos
Oh, Philly’s Republican hopeful, gives the city’s laid-back stance on open-air drugs a thumbs down. He’s tired of cops treating addicts like a blur on Kensington Avenue. (Megan Myers/Fox News Digital)
“We’re gonna film ’em. We’ll capture it all on video,” Oh explained. “And then, brace yourself, we’ll let ’em know: the party’s over, pal.”
“Once that’s done, we’re kickstarting the rule enforcement party,” he said with a grin. “We’re pulling out the big guns – every law on the books, every safety rule, and yeah, those rules about living a good life. They’re all getting enforced. And I’ve got the police force to make it happen.”
But critics have a different story. They reckon a “lock-’em-up” attitude could spike overdose deaths. You see, addicts get a bit rusty behind bars, leading to overdose danger post-release. At least that’s what Keith Humphreys, the addiction expert, told a CBS affiliate in San Francisco – a place dealing with its own street drug showdown.
A Not-So-Friendly Farewell to Open-Air “Fun”
Despite the critics, Oh isn’t pulling punches. He wants Philly’s policy to be clear: “No more free-for-all drug parties. No more public heroin picnics.” (Megan Myers/Fox News Digital)
No more shoving needles, no more drowsy strolls, no more getting lost in a daze, Oh’s on a mission to turn the Kensington tide. “No more tents in the streets, and please, spare us the yard ‘decorations,'” he jibed.
Kensington’s made a name for itself – a place where drugs roam free and chaos is king. Deadly stuff’s floating around, and violence is no stranger. The data tells the tale, and it’s grim. Philly’s Inquirer’s got the scoop: violence and drug crime rates here? Not for the faint-hearted.
Kensington’s Battle for Redemption
Users might not even know what’s in the mix. Drugs laced with xylazine, a horse sedative, are a ticking time bomb. (Megan Myers/Fox News Digital)
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Meet Carpenter – he’s got a heart for the homeless, and his nonprofit steps in where the city steps back. But don’t expect a standing ovation for Oh’s game plan from him. “Us do-gooders and harm reducers, we’re the unsung heroes,” Carpenter quipped. “While the suits talk the talk, we walk the walk.”
“We’re out here, in the trenches, spreading love and empathy,” he said. “And we’re not going anywhere.”
Carpenter’s got a mini-Eden in the midst of the madness – a garden where users can escape the chaos, away from needles and trash. He’s even got a cart full of kindness, wheeling it around to feed and clothe those struggling on the streets.
The Never-Ending Struggle of Kensington
Carpenter’s garden offers a breath of fresh air, a haven amidst chaos for those battling addiction. (Megan Myers and Jon Michael Raasch/Fox News Digital)
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Carpenter’s got his eyes on the prize, but he’s not counting on the politicians to take Kensington from gloom to gleam. He’s seen enough. “They swing by for pics when it’s election season,” Carpenter scoffed. “But they’re MIA the rest of the time. They forget that each life lost is a big deal.”
Pennsylvania’s no stranger to overdose horrors, and Philly’s no exception. CDC’s got the numbers – the state’s always up there in the overdose tally. 2021’s record? Over 5,000 lives lost, a 25% spike since 2019.
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Philly’s had its share of overdose tragedies. Over 80% of 2021’s deaths had opioids like fentanyl calling the shots. (Megan Myers/Fox News Digital)
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Oh’s feeling confident, channeling his inner superhero. He’s got a plan, he’s got hope, and he’s got eyes on the prize – a safer Kensington. “Time to slam the brakes on addiction, on the chaos,” Oh declared. “It’s time to shut it all down.”
Click for more scoop from Philly’s Republican mayoral candidate.
Reporting by Megan Myers, the Queen of Uncovering Stories, at Fox News Digital Originals.