Still, its Reform, Transformation, and Reconciliation process is less truth and reconciliation — a grassroots-driven process designed to help community members come to terms with past violence and increase awareness of trauma — and more think-tank.

"The election in Philadelphia really comes down to some very simple concepts: fairness, integrity, access, and accurate results."

Drones and surveillance cameras can be an innovative resource, say some of those interviewed for this story. But others have privacy concerns and feel harms experienced by the community need to be addressed first.

"In a worst-case scenario pipeline explosion on the Mariner East, we would have a catastrophe on par with 9/11,” says Eve Miari of the Clean Air Council.

Columnist Akeem Dixon chats with the Bicycle Coalition Greater Philadelphia's Randy LoBasso about the nonprofit's latest advocacy efforts and how the nonprofit has worked to engage communities.

The network's Geography of Poverty series reports on how the criminal justice system has kept many Philadelphians trapped in the cycle of poverty.