Police ramp up enforcement in Kensington

Police are ramping up enforcement on open drug use and quality-of-life crimes in Kensington Tuesday.

Why it matters: High levels of drug sales have been a precursor for gun violence and homicides in the neighborhood that's the epicenter of the city's opioid crisis.

The big picture: The stricter enforcement follows a big encampment clearing operation in the neighborhood — part of Mayor Cherelle Parker's multi-phase plan to shut down Kensington's entrenched open-air drug markets, blight and homelessness.

• It also comes as Philadelphia issues new summer curfews for businesses in pockets of the city.

State of play: The police department will boost the number of officers patrolling the neighborhood to about 120, adding more than 70 recruits who graduated Monday, per the Inquirer .

• The officers will more strictly enforce crimes and make arrests if necessary.
• The city was expected to post signs starting Monday warning of the increased enforcement this summer and detailing info about drug treatment and resources, per the Inquirer.

What they're saying: A spokesperson for the mayor and the police department did not return a request for comment.

Zoom in: Parker originally outlined in her 100-day report that the Kensington crackdown would start by targeting the area between E and Jasper streets, and Tioga Street and Indiana Avenue.

• The enforcement phase calls for a multi-day operation focusing on a block or two at a time.
• After securing that section of Kensington, the city will expand to other parts of the neighborhood.

Zoom out: New curfews apply to businesses in swaths of North and Northeast Philly, requiring them to close from 11pm-midnight and 6am, per NBC .

• Parts of Kensington saw a similar overnight business curfew in April.