A new law in Philadelphia that restricts the operation of mobile addiction service providers in Kensington will take effect this Sunday.
However, city officials have indicated that enforcement will not begin immediately.
The delay stems from the absence of a permit system for both medical and nonmedical mobile providers, which the new regulation mandates.
Leah Uko, deputy director of communications for the mayor’s office, emphasized the need for time to establish regulations to govern enforcement.
This temporary reprieve offers some relief to organizations providing essential services such as wound care, harm reduction tools, and food to those experiencing homelessness or struggling with addiction in Kensington.
Nicole Bixler, founder of Operation In My Backyard, expressed her concerns, stating, “It feels like we are taking a huge step backwards in regards to public health.”
Under the new law, community organizations are required to apply for special permits to offer services within District 7.
Provisions of the law prohibit operation on residential streets or near schools and recreational centers.
Instead, mobile services are restricted to a designated location at 265 E. Lehigh Ave., outside of the Kensington Wellness Support Center, or along East Allegheny Avenue during specified overnight hours.
Violations of the new rules may lead to penalties of up to $1,000.
Support for these changes came primarily from long-term Kensington residents, neighborhood associations, and local business owners.
During the City Council hearings earlier this year, supporters voiced their concerns about the negative impacts of numerous mobile service providers in the area, including increased litter, confrontations, and public exposure to drug use by children.
Councilmember Quetcy Lozada, who sponsored the legislation, claimed the new requirements aim to improve the living conditions of local families and permanent residents.
The bill was signed into law by Mayor Cherelle Parker on May 28.
Lozada expressed confidence in the administration’s efforts to develop the necessary regulations and processes for providers to obtain permits.
According to Uko, the city will provide mobile service providers ample time to apply for permits before enforcement begins, though a specific timeline for this is yet to be determined.
“The city will announce, in advance, the date on which enforcement will be set to begin,” Uko noted.
City officials have not disclosed when the permit application process may start or which agencies will oversee it.
The regulatory process involves multiple steps and may take considerable time to finalize, as Uko explained.
Concerns are mounting regarding the impact of these restrictions on supportive services available in the area.
Outreach workers and providers fear that the new requirements will effectively serve as an outright ban on their services due to the limited locations and hours permitted.
Organizations offering critical services, including medical care, harm reduction, treatment referrals, food assistance, and clothing in Kensington, have reported a lack of information about the new permitting process.
In the meantime, mobile outreach teams are working to ensure consistent access to support services through existing general vendor permits.
Susan Sheehan-Fasulo, executive director of Angels in Motion, stated, “We will continue to work closely with city officials to ensure access to vital resources.”
She added that their outreach efforts will persist, even with the introduction of a new permit process.
Bixler remarked that Operation In My Backyard is now focused on enhancing service provision and keeping the community informed about the coming changes.
The organization typically distributes food, naloxone (an overdose reversal medication), fentanyl test strips, wound care, and other essential services in Kensington.
Experts in addiction medicine who testified at City Hall earlier warned that any reduction in access to supportive services could severely undermine gains made in addressing the addiction crisis and homelessness in the area.
Bixler voiced her frustration saying, “It baffles my mind to know that people who have zero training or understanding on evidence-based approaches to addressing the overdose crisis and infectious diseases have any say in how those issues are addressed within our city.”
She concluded by asserting that limiting harm reduction services is not the solution for the community.
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