Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) working with Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Florida), on a bill that over 10 years will provide that would $1 billion in funding from the federal government to help local police raise their clearance rates when it comes to shootings. Currently Philadelphia’s clearance rate is 43% which has gotten worst since last year. A clearance rate is determined. By dividing the number of crimes solved by the number of crimes committed. 

The legislation is supported by the  National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the Major Cities Chiefs Association and the National Police Foundation.

“Helping our state and local police solve more fatal and non-fatal shooting cases would be a huge win for public safety in Philadelphia and across the country – district attorneys can’t bring cases that don’t reach them, so this would help make our neighborhoods safer,” Evans said. 

Evans also added:

“As someone who has pushed for help for victims of gun violence, I’m also very pleased that this bill would provide victims and family members with mental health resources and assistance with shelter, wage, and relocation costs,” Evans said.

The lead sponsor is Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Florida), a former Chief of the Orlando Police Department. Regarding the legislation Demings stated the following, “Simply put, many agencies lack the resources they need to bring justice to these cases and closure for families. Half of gun murders in the United States go unsolved, and victims are often left with no justice and little support. This legislation would inject critical new funding into America’s law enforcement agencies to hire and train detectives and specialists specifically committed to investigate unsolved crimes, comfort victims, and bring the guilty to justice.”

Evans is a lead co-sponsor of the Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act (H.R. 5768).

The goal of the bill is to establish a grant program with through the  Department of Justice (DOJ), which would:

1. Hire and retain detectives to investigate homicide and non-fatal shootings.
2. Acquire resources for processing evidence, including the hiring of additional personnel.
3. Hire personnel trained to analyze criminal intelligence and crime trends.
4. Train detectives and evidence processing personnel in effective procedures and techniques; and
ensure victim services are sufficiently staffed, funded, and trained.

Based on the legislation grant would  require that information is sent to the DOJ on:
1. How the money was spent
2. How it affected clearance rates for homicides and non-fatal shootings.

Based on the bill The National Institute of Justice would measure, evaluate, and report to Congress the effectiveness of the policies policies and procedures of the grantees