A Neighborhood-Focused Strategy to Restore Safety
Judge Pat Dugan has spent his life serving Philadelphia. Now he’s ready to rebuild an office that listens to victims, stands with police, and delivers fair justice in every ZIP code.
Delivering justice that starts on your block
Judge Dugan’s plan assigns clear ownership, restores staffing, and keeps victims at the center of every decision—so safety is felt in every neighborhood, not just promised from downtown.
Neighborhood Divisions
Dedicated prosecutors accountable for every section of Philadelphia.
Month Hiring Timeline
Aggressive recruitment to return the District Attorney’s Office to full strength.
Victim-First Standard
Every policy judged by how well it delivers justice for families and survivors.
Lifelong Philadelphian and former Municipal Court President Judge Patrick Dugan knows that safer neighborhoods start with prosecutors who understand the people they serve. His localized approach brings accountability, community engagement, and justice to every corner of our city.
The plan builds a District Attorney’s Office that answers the phone, shows up in community meetings, and delivers on promises. It combines the toughness to prosecute violent offenders with the compassion to give first-time, non-violent offenders a real path forward.
- Dedicated neighborhood prosecutors will partner with police captains, clergy, and civic leaders to anticipate problems before they escalate.
- Victims will have direct contacts inside the office, so they are never left wondering who is fighting for their case.
- Justice strategies will be tailored to the unique needs of each community instead of relying on one-size-fits-all policies.
Stand with Victims & Neighbors
Judge Dugan will show up in every neighborhood, listening to victims and working hand in hand with law enforcement to keep blocks safe.
Invest in Smart Prevention
We will expand proven diversion, job training, and education programs that cut off the pipeline to crime and give people a second chance.
Put Safety First
Every decision inside the District Attorney’s Office will be made through the lens of community safety and accountability.
Justice that meets communities where they are
Every part of the plan is designed to restore safety and trust while protecting every Philadelphian’s rights.
Safer Neighborhoods
Localized prosecution focuses resources on the most urgent problems block by block, shrinking repeat crime and restoring order.
Fairer Justice
Permanent prosecutorial teams know the people, the history, and the facts, so accountability never comes at the expense of fairness.
Community Trust
When victims know their prosecutor by name and see results, confidence in our justice system is rebuilt from the ground up.
How Judge Dugan will deliver results
Each pillar gives Philadelphians a clear point of contact, a responsible prosecutor, and a measurable path to safer streets.
- 01
Divide the Office into Six Geographic Divisions
Judge Dugan will restructure the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office so that every region of the city has a senior prosecutor accountable for its cases.
- Victims in South Philadelphia will know the prosecutor responsible for 10th and Oregon and surrounding neighborhoods.
- West Philadelphia families will have a designated advocate focused on bringing justice to 52nd and Market and beyond.
- North and Northeast Philadelphia residents will have direct access to prosecutors who understand their blocks and priorities.
No matter where you live, you will know the name of the prosecutor dedicated to your community’s safety.
- 02
Recruit and Hire Locally to Reach Full Staffing
Judge Dugan will build a homegrown pipeline of prosecutors by partnering with Temple, Penn, Drexel, Villanova, Delaware Law, and Rutgers.
We will bring in lawyers who understand Philadelphia—people who grew up here, studied here, and are invested in our public safety.
A revitalized recruitment strategy means onboarding prosecutors who see this work as a calling, not a stepping stone.
With focused hiring, the District Attorney’s Office returns to full strength within 18 months.
- 03
Hold Criminals Accountable
Judge Dugan will rebalance prosecutorial discretion to ensure violent, repeat offenders face serious consequences while giving first-time, low-level offenders a path to turn their lives around.
Under Judge Dugan’s leadership:
- Violent offenders will face the maximum penalties allowed by law—no more revolving door for those terrorizing our neighborhoods.
- Diversion programs will remain available for low-level, first-time offenders who are committed to rehabilitation and restitution.
- 04
Restore Community Programs That Work
The best accountability happens when justice is swift, transparent, and rooted in local partnerships.
Community Courts will handle quality-of-life crimes in the neighborhoods where they occur, tailoring solutions to local needs.
Support services—from mental health care to workforce training—will be paired with accountability so people can repair harm and rebuild their lives.
Partnerships with schools, recreation centers, and faith leaders will keep at-risk youth engaged before crime takes root.
- 05
Demand Accountability from Prosecutors
Philadelphians deserve prosecutors who prepare every case, support every victim, and treat every defendant fairly.
- Reinstate rigorous performance reviews and mentoring so every prosecutor grows and improves.
- Require transparent explanations for charging decisions and plea deals so communities understand how justice is served.
- Invest in ongoing training on trial work, trauma-informed practice, and ethics to elevate the entire office.
- 06
Focus Resources on High-Impact Cases
The District Attorney’s Office must relentlessly pursue the crimes that do the most harm to families and neighborhoods.
Dedicated strike teams will coordinate with police districts on gun violence, carjackings, and organized retail theft.
Data sharing and constant communication will ensure repeat offenders are flagged early and prosecuted effectively.
By prioritizing the cases that matter most, we send a clear message: Philadelphia will not tolerate violence or lawlessness.
Help shape how justice is delivered in your neighborhood
Share what you’re seeing on your block, invite Judge Dugan’s team to your civic meeting, or join the volunteers already pushing for change across Philadelphia.
Read Judge Dugan’s Resume
From Army veteran to President Judge of Municipal Court, see the experience that prepared him for this moment.
Review Key Endorsements
Labor, community, and civic leaders across the city are standing with Judge Dugan’s plan for accountability.