For Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, work soon begins to deliver on campaign promises
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker said Tuesday night after defeating Republican David Oh that the work will begin soon on delivering on her campaign promise of making the city safer, cleaner and greener.
The community still talking about Tuesday's night's historic win. Now, many are saying this is where the real work begins.
"It was electrifying. I was there with survivors," Emir Healing Center co-founder Chantay Love said. "I plan to work with her closely. A lot of us, a lot of leaders have worked with her when she was in city council."
Love lost her brother to gun violence, and now, it's her mission to help keep the city safe by meeting with elected officials -- like the new mayor-elect.
In addition to combatting violence, Parker has also promised to make city schools safer and even keep some open year-round.
Reginald Streater, the Philadelphia School District board president, joined CBS News Philadelphia on Wednesday to discuss the relationship between the city and the district.
"Gone are the days the district and the board do it alone," Streater said. "We are about putting in work and guidance from the village."
Pastor Carl Day of Culture Changing Christians Worship Center said the city must not only hold the new administration accountable but the community must do their part.
"As opposed to community members yelling and talking about what they want to see," Day said, "community members have to be held accountable to being part of that vision as well. The preservation of human life matters. If we can make this city safe, everything else is the icing."
Some of the youngest voters CBS News Philadelphia talked with about Tuesday's historic victory said they were disappointed with low voter turnout.
Parker campaigned as a tough-on-crime candidate as many voters stressed safety as their number one issue. Part of her plan includes a crackdown on nuisance crimes.
"We are going to use every legal tool in the toolbook to make this city safe," Parker said.
"You will not be able to go into the store and steal $499 worth of merchandise and just think that it's OK," she added.
Mustafa Rashed, a Democratic political strategist, said making sure we address the small things will help us do a better job as the city works toward bigger goals.
But in a city that's seen more than 400 homicides each of the last three years, community groups like Mothers in Charge believe Parker also has to hit the ground running on tackling violent crime.
"Our young people are at risk every single day," Michelle Kerr-Spry, the director of programs of Mothers in Charge, said. "Our school children are not feeling safe as they travel to and from school. We need to have this addressed immediately."
One of Parker's first major decisions in the fight against crime is choosing a new police commissioner.
Parker said she's looking for a leader who isn't afraid to make tough decisions.
Kerr-Spry is hoping Parker adds another qualifier to that list – homegrown talent.
"Whether that is someone that has either been a longtime resident of Philadelphia, or Philadelphia born-and-raised, we need someone that understands this city," Kerr-Spry said.
While mayor-elect Parker has talked about what she's looking for in the next police commissioner, she hasn't given any indication of who that person will be.
