Last updated: September 26, 2026
Philly Crime Update covers crime, policing, courts, and public safety in Philadelphia and its suburbs. This page explains where our information comes from, how we treat the people we write about, and how we fix mistakes.
Our sources
We base our reporting on information we can attribute. That includes:
- Police departments, including news releases, public statements, wanted and missing-person bulletins, and press conferences
- District attorneys, the Pennsylvania Attorney General, U.S. Attorney’s Offices, and other prosecuting agencies
- Court records such as criminal complaints, affidavits, docket entries, and testimony in open court
- Other public records and official statements from government agencies
- Reporting by other news organizations, which we always credit by name and link to
Each story names its sources, and most include a “Sources” line with links. When a detail comes from another outlet’s reporting, we say so in the story (for example, “NBC10 reported”).
No unverified rumors
We do not publish rumors, speculation, or unverified claims from social media as fact. That includes names of suspects or victims, causes of death, and motives. A social media post is not treated as confirmed unless it comes from an official account or we can verify it through a reliable source. When facts are still unclear, we say so.
Presumed innocent
An arrest or charge is an accusation, not a conviction. Everyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court. We use words like “charged,” “accused,” and “allegedly,” and we attribute accusations to the police, prosecutors, or court records that made them. Our crime stories note that charges are allegations.
Juveniles and victims of sexual assault
- We do not name juvenile suspects. The rare exception is a minor who has been formally charged as an adult and whose name has been officially released by authorities.
- We do not name victims or alleged victims of sexual assault, and we leave out details that could identify them.
- We avoid graphic detail about sexual offenses and violence beyond what is needed to report the charges and the facts of a case accurately.
Photos and images
We rely primarily on official images released by police and prosecutors (such as mugshots, wanted flyers, and surveillance stills), photos we have permission to use, and our own branded title cards, and we credit image sources where available. If you own the rights to an image on our site and object to its use, contact us through our Contact page and we will review it promptly.
Updates and corrections
Stories change. When there is a significant development, such as an arrest, new charges, a verdict, a sentence, or a dismissal, we try to update the original story or publish a follow-up. Updates are marked in the article with the word “UPDATE” and the date.
When we get something wrong, we correct it as quickly as possible. Corrections of substance are noted at the end of the article with the date and a short description of what changed. We do not quietly change facts. Minor fixes such as spelling or typos may be made without a note.
How to request a correction or update
If you believe a story contains an error, or if a case has a newer outcome we have not reported (for example, charges were dropped or a person was acquitted), contact us through our Contact page. Please include the article link, what you believe is inaccurate, and any supporting documentation, such as court records. We review every request.
Independence
Advertising does not influence what we cover or how we cover it. We do not accept payment to publish, change, or remove news stories.
Related policies
See also our About page, Terms of Use & Disclaimer, and Privacy Policy.