WHYY Online SpecialViolent Crime in Philadelphia We want to know what you think.WHYY is undertaking this special, online project in an attempt to compile and organize the best, most effective and creative ideas to stop the violence. Everyone's opinions are welcome since this is everyone's problem, whether you've been personally touched by this violence or not. We'll be posting your ideas and comments about current efforts and what you think should be done. Read What Others ThinkI believe that the city should close all local bars in Philadelphia down early at 1 AM. Put more cops on the streets and camera's on the streets and in all local bars. My son's father was murdered in the City of Philadelphia on Nov.19, 2006 in a bar at 62nd Woodland Ave and was shot alot of times. I think that anyone get caught with a gun or drugs should get alot of time in jail. Anyone who killed someone should suffer, not just in jail either. Create more anger mangement classes or jobs.
Historically, these have always been the history of lawlessness in a society. In our society today, it is especially so. We have and continue to create a huge underclass; and it seems to be getting worse daily. Poor people in society today are quite realistic re their opportunites to create a better future; yes, the very small minority will manage; most will not. Put more money into education for a starter. Have more outlets for young people. Statistics on people imprisoned shows the results of our present practices. People who have something to protect are less likely to commit crimes; they think first. Police do an excellent job; are to be commended for cleaning up the dirty work for the rest of us; and they do not get the recognition they are due. Police personnel do not usually come from weallthy families; they actually have more in common with the less wealthy people in our society. Have more police-neighborhood interaction. Wouldn't is be nice if every policeman in every precimct knew more about the everyday lives of the families in their areas; not just the lives of the troublemakers. Of course, education is the real key. Put the best teachers in the worst schools, even pay a premium to get and keep them. The most important is to give people hope for a happier and more successful life than they have at present.
It seems to me that David Kennedy offers a feasible solution to this idea of violence in Philadelphia by allowing the community to band together and engage with these youths at second chance meetings. They more violent ones are incarcerated but the ones that are not so hardened are given second chances after they are first begged by friends and families, and then scared by the police for having enough evidence to send them to jail for a long time. Perhaps the question becomes, why is the government not giving more incentives for communities to follow the successful model done in North Carolina? Is there a mechanism in place, (and not just a volunteer group either) that actually will organize this effort? The solution is so clear! Read this article on North Carolina's technique. But again, what David Kennedy discussed was that the primary cause of violence on the streets is the idea of respect. How can the community solve this problem? If you have an answer to this, you may solve the problem of violent crimes.
I am very upset about the gun violence that is going on in the city of Philadelphia. I'm affected because the 5 year old Cashae Rivers was my little cousin. Not any far away cousin, I mean my uncles daughter. This city is getting out of control because a 5 year old has to die over drugs. My little cousin never had a change to live her life at all. It's very sad because she never really had a chance to be a real kid. She never had the chance to grow up & get married or have kids or even go on her prom or have a sweet sixteen. This city is really out of control. Somebody really needs to do something about this because if you don't it could be your child or even your brother or sister or even mom or dad.
I am a 27 year old woman who has been personally effected by the violence in our city not once, but twice. I lost my brother when I was 15, and arranged a funeral for my fiance when I was 23. Both times do to the senseless plague of gun violence in our city. I know that mourning is a private matter, but maybe if we expose the GRIEF, HORROR, and the effects of how these events changes not only the life of the victim, but the lives of the family of the victim as well. Then maybe this can become a reality to our children, and not just another news flash. I wish that the world could learn from the pain of others rather than experience the pain themselves. Tell your story, invite someone into your space. You never know the life you might save by scaring someone straight!
My brother was killed on 0ctober 2nd 2006 a day after his birthday in Philadelphia. Another young black male killed by another black male. It's so much that needs to be done. Our school system, our community life style, drugs and guns are many ways to destroy a human being. We need tougher gun laws. We need t have some type of three strike law but not like California. I made a promise to my brother that I would do ever I can to change the world but I can't do it alone. If anyone reads this can you lead me an a direction where I can come together with other citizens and make a differences.
Crime is up in Philadelphia for many reasons. One being most important is lack of care. Since the gap between the rich and poor is the widest its ever been; society can't progress - lack of capital resources.
I am a teacher in a public school in Philly. I work with my students to use words instead of hands when they disagree with each other. The Quakers (I am one) have a conflict resolution program which I use in my classroom (fair fighting) with my students who are very violence oriented. I see a basis lack of respect for others as a root problem. Mother's in Charge is an organisation trying to reduce gun violence.
I truly believe we need to come together as a community and fight back because too many of our children are dying. The cops worry more about giving people tickets then they do about the killings. Look I understand the code of the streets but the streets killed the code. Stand up.
I teach at an alternative high school in Chester County. Many of our students are able to return to their home schools, others, unfortunately, end up in the judicial system. Most of the students who come through my doors are from single parent homes, have a lack of structure, and almost a hoplessness for the future. Drugs and gang life are an everyday occurrence. Violence on television, movies, and video games make guns and shooting seem like something that is acceptable. Parents need to become involved - EARLY - teachers can only do so much with the time we have students. There is a lack of guidance at home, a lack of manners, and an expectation of having EVERYTHING now. Students expect to have a Mercedes or BMW at 20. They expect to have a McMansion early on. They do not understand the value of hardwork or saving. Society has become so disposable, that lives are, unfortunately, becoming disposable too.
Any murder rate at all in Philadelphia is tragic and unnecessary. The statistics this year, however, are not significantly higher than in previous years. For the year to date (October 5th) the murder rate is 1.93% higher than last year. With a confidence level of 95% and a sample size of less than 400 the rise this year is well within the 5% margin of error. That means that there is essentially no specific reason why the rate to be nearly 2% higher. Discussion of the murder rate in this "box score" way ignores the real issues: would Philadelphians be declaring a victory over violent crime if only 373 people were killed this year, resulting in a murder rate 2% lower rather than in 2005? WHYY is as fine a news source as this city has and it should know better than to resort to these "home- run derby" tactics when addressing such a complex and emotional issue. This is the summer of the shark all over: lowest common denominator headlines - not news.
I have recently moved back to the city afterspending 20 years living in the western suburbs. My new house is on the fringe of one of the hot new revitalized areas of center city but one who has struggled with crime. I have found this to be a vital neighborhoood made up of hard working people. People with children who use and support the recreation center, playground, courts and fields across the street from my house. This integral community gathering place is used from morning to night. The basketball courts are rarely empty and the fields seem to have organized team practices or games scheduled every evening and weekend for everthing from rugby to football to soccer. But this center struggles to keep the grounds free of litter, grass on the field and broken glass off of the sidewalks. We all agree that keeping kids busy, creative and physically engaged in positive activities is a great way to steer them away from bad influences. But instead of waiting to build new centers or create new programs, the city can invest in established programs already supported by the neighborhoods such as this. By making sure these fields are regularly tended, mowed and raked and the surrounding sidewalks and playground areas are free of broken glass the city can show these children and their parents that they are respected citizen's that deserve a clean, safe and well tended place to play. A place that can be a magnet for more kids and a place that these kids will want to keep maintained. Trash attracts trash and by allowing these kids to play in trash instills in them that city government services don't serve them unless they do something wrong. Support this neighborhood for doing the right things for their children. It may be a small fix that starts the ball rolling in the right direction.
The city's police department web page should help its residents by: Featuring and making it easy to report suspected criminals and their criminal activity. Providing precinct level weekly crime statistics and improving access to neighborhood level data. (Check the New York City and Los Angeles police web pages to see what is done elsewhere with CompStat data) Simplifying its usability and eliminating much of its non-essential "happy talk" - things to make one look good while gun violence numbers go through the roof. Develop a comprehensive online listing of each documented gunshot violence incident. This should include: unique incident ID, location, date, time, victim name(s) and any other relevant information. This listing should be posted and organized by geography including incident date. Develop an online neighborhood information reporting system that seeks information on documented gunshot violence. This is to be submitted by citizens with pertinent information including: name/nickname, description, and location of a possible suspect; crime vehicle description (color, license, etc.); and other relevant information. Each report will use the incident ID and be confidential. The news media (print and broadcast) should do more by: Always presenting the complete gun violence story. Murders capture the headlines but gun shot victims, the survivors, are far greater numerically. This latter count already exceeds 1,200 victims this year and approximately 2,000 last year, but too little attention is given the entire story. Not neglecting the significant number of victims, many with severe and long-lasting injuries. Acknowledging that our murder rate would be far higher without superb hospital trauma care teams. Systematically reporting weekly gun violence tallies - shootings and murders. By comparison, we learn far more about movie revenues each week. The mayor should demonstrate greater leadership. Currently things are all over the map. Who is in charge? The mayor should request another 3 to 5 minutes to speak, in a simultaneous broadcast, from all media outlets. The message focus should be directed to young men (18 to 25) - "Think twice. Put your weapons down". These individuals are not newspaper readers so they must be reached in other ways. Zero tolerance for violence should be our stated and operational policy. He should declare a state of limited emergency with a citywide 1 to 6 a.m. curfew on everyone. The curfew can be lifted if and when gun violence lessens. School truancy should also be enforced. With only modest rewording, Philadelphia's Emergency Preparedness Final Report can be applied to our urban violence. We need a comprehensive plan directed to our home-grown urban terrorism.
The city is owed about $462 million in unpaid property taxes. If this money is not collected as agressively as private lien collectors do, then the city can't afford to address this problem. Whether liberal or conservative, the city administration needs to step of collection of Philly's still super low property taxes (annual tax bills of $200 per year or less are not uncommon). Instead of the city holding tens of thousands of properties to "land bank" the private market will gladly buy these properties, most vacant or shells, at open competitive auction. Pay to play is why the city is using the RDA and other city controlled land agencies to land bank. But the turnover to get from vacant lot to viable taxpaying owner is too long, years, if not over a decade. We have to be more like surrounding counties, where there is no wage tax, no gross profit tax, no weird extra business taxes that make employers locate anywhere but here. If we know, both liberal and conservative, that we need jobs in Philly, we all know we have to step up getting rid of job killing taxes, and collect the revenue that was levied years ago in property taxes. Half of that $462 million would go straight to the Philly school system. The rate of unpaid property tax in the zip code where Cashae Rivers, the five year old girl, was shot and killed in a drug turf dispute, is almost half. In zip code 19132, (Strawberry Mansion), the unpaid property taxes is 44.5 percent. Trying to "help" people by making it impossible for them to move because they can't find anywhere else to own a home where property tax payment is essentially optional is why these neighborhoods are stagnant and why schools and systems are failing. We can't have two sets of rules: everyone has to be expected to show good citizenship, everyone must pay their alloted fair share of property tax if they own property, and the city can't hold blighted properties for years and years, driving out private investment and killing the tax base. We don't need to keep the villified job killing wage tax and gross profit tax -- we can collect property taxes and stop making the city a government run real estate investment trust. These measures will bring in jobs and raise the tax base. It will allow for new school construction, improvement, and better ratios of teacher to student. If this results in neighborhoods becoming more income and ethnically diverse, that will result in a stronger fabric of expectations for youth.
Josue. Jeremy. Dalila. Isaiah. Jody. These are all names of students I've taught, even the name of my little brother. Why call them by name? Because these are the names that are missing from this discussion. My students will gladly tell you that the education system has failed them, that they are in school but not better for it. Our schools are failing our kids. Our core curriculum is full of holes. We aren't making classrooms rich places of deep learning. We aren't anchoring our lessons in the waters of the childrens' stories, realities, questions. No, we aren't even allowing them a place in this forum. We aren't present to our kids in their education. We don't listen to them. That's why we have the pull towards violence to talk about today.
I'm a expatriate who now lives in Chicago, IL. I moved from Philadelphia 1 year ago kinda heartbroken. I wanted to stay but the crime increase ran me away. Reasons for Philadelphia violent is interwine with deep seated issues. Divorce, unemployment, poverty, moral decay, and racism are namely a few. American social values and acceptance is a cancer of society. Anything goes and people accept no responsibility for their behavior. As society crumbles, so does its inhabitants.
As a new resident of the community, I am horrified that Americans live in conditions more commonly seen in the third world. These communities in Philadelphia seem without hope, without leadership and without pride - they are broken. The government has failed in their basic responsibilities - to provide order, to enforce the law, to protect its citizens, to provide an education to children, to provide garbage disposal, to destroy unsafe abandoned buildings... And the government has failed because of a lack of money, will and courage. The government has failed because its citizens have allowed it.
Since it is both naive and fantasitc to believe that the powers that be (politicial, economic, academic, religious) have the abilitiy or desire to effect the changes in our community that would stem the tide of violence the burden falls on us. WE have to raise our children with a sense of value, dignity and respect for themselves, their parents and those in authority. (teachers etc.) WE have to raise our children to live for more than the American dream and refuse to allow them to drown in the materialism so rampant in this society. WE have to stop allowing our children to feast on musical lyrics, videos, movies, t.v. programs etc. that pump a constant barrage of images and themes that glorify drugs, violence, sex and hatred for self and community. WE have to bring children into nurturing homes with two parents who have the maturity and love to instill a strong sense of love for God, love for neighbor, love for community and love and respect for life beginning with their own. WE have to impress and emphasize to our children that having sex before marriage and then having babies out of wedlock that we don't intend to care for is the surest way to lock ourselves and the next generation into continued cycles of poverty with all of its misery. WE have to teach, model and live in such a way that though guns and drugs flood our communities they need not flood and destroy the lives of our children. WE have to wake up to the reality that we're the only ones who can effectively stop the violence in our communities. It's time to grow up, act like adults and stop begging the powers that be to raise our children. WE have to man up to the fact that the primary responsibility for the education and morality of our children rests on us, not the school, the government or even the church. Granted it while it does indeed take a village to raise a child, that village begins at home with the child's two parents.
I would like to follow-up on what I said previously because I think it was misunderstood by the person making the next comment. I don't want better understanding for criminals, I want to understand violent behavoir more. Is violent behavoir something we can detect medically? We treat many psychological disorders now with drugs, is there a possibility violent behavoir is something that can be labeled as disorder? If so it should be studied. I should also add that I was the victim of a violent attack by two young men. I don't have any sympathy for these individuals. As far as more police equals less crime I haven't seen it where I live. Violence isn't that simple.
A middle-aged friend of mine was almost mugged today while she was riding on her bike on 10th Street near Federal (a main thoroughfare) at midday, by five 10-year old boys on bikes. They had a routine, one bumped the front of her bike with his, causing her to stop, and the other four came up behind her so that she couldn't get away. Fortunately someone driving by saw what was happening and yelled at the boys and chased them away. I am having a lot of difficulty imagining how these young children came to find this a fine thing to do on a summer day. Certainly many of us did stupid things in our younger years, and maybe for these kids this is a one time thing. But, then again, maybe not. If they go on to worse crimes and even to using guns, the tragedy will be theirs as well as their victims. Wasted lives all around. I can say what I think: insist on gun control, believe in (paramount) and implement schools in Philadelphia that will nurture and teach all our children, and teach all Philadelphia to have pride in our city and PICK UP THE BLEEPING TRASH AND STOP SPITTING IN THE STREET (my personal pet peeves). But those are my ideas. How might we find out something more and learn something new? Ask the kids. Why don't we listen to the children. Ask them questions. Don't just accept the first answer. Ask different ways. Ask 10 year olds and ask 16 year olds. It's a place to start. And let us not forget that when you are a kid, how people see you is of primary importance in how you see yourself. Kids pick up on all the subtle messages about what the people around them think of them. They absorb it and then believe it. So, how can we see things in kids that will help them see themselves differently? I think the schools could be effective in this effort. School can be a challenging, competitive and engaging environment for kids - one that is more socially beneficial than mugging and playing with guns. It's not easy to change the schools by any means. But these intrenched problems are going to take big commitments and resources and a lot of belief and creativity to change. We all seem to think that it's the kids that have to change. They do. But, the rest of us also have to change. We have to show the kids by our actions that we care about them and that we care about Philadelphia. And while we are working on the huge project of fixing the schools, maybe we could also start by doing small things, like sweeping in front of our houses and picking up the trash. Showing the kids that we care about Philadelphia and that what goes on in our city matters.
I have noticed an increase in the prostitution and drug trafficing along 13th and 12th Street between Chestnut and South Street because I walk home from work. If it is obvious to me, lone citizen, why isn't it obvious to the police and why aren't they walking the streets as well. Also note that these street are blocks from City Hall, right in the center of the city. It is demoralizing and frightening to see the sad turn that the City has taken.
Violence on the streets of Philadelphia is simply the result of a laundry list of societal problems and inequities. The real causes are much more broad than what we hear on the 10 o'clock news. In order to effectively address violence on the streets Philadelphia (and the rest of the country) we need to begin by addressing issues like: education, healthcare, employment/unemployment, DISTRIBUTION OF WEALTH, and corruption among politicians. Unfortunately, no matter how well we INVEST our vote, the political structure is such that it is almost impossible for any benevolent politician to succeed in the government. We need to begin by significantly reducing politician's salaries, hence defelecting the current wealth and power seekers and attracting individuals who are willing to sacrifice their life's work for the overall benefit of the communities they lead.
A great writer once said "Where there's no vision--in the 'Hood--people start killing each other." I'm paraphrasing the biblical writer for sure. Nevertheless, we need powerful new role models, "vision models" if you like, that resonate with the youth, models they'll actually look up to. No, not basketball stars and rappers (they resonate all too well already) and certainly not preachers and teachers! (gasp!) Not even historic men like Dr. King will do anymore. But preachers and teachers and modern-day Kings disguised as atheletes and rappers. Sheep in wolves' clothing if you like. People who make education and altruism (among other virtues) cool without losing their "hoodness" or "realness," who glorify (and show by example) virtues not completely unlike those in the mysogynistic, gun-laden, bling-bling preachiness of mainstream rap music culture. Virtues like toughness, loyalty, discretion (ie. not snitching), and realness (ie. transparency) put in the context of the "big picture," God's Vision and purpose for one's life. We need Street-conscious and saavy rap teachers like the Frontlynaz from Delaware who glorify these virtues along with righteousness, forgiveness and belief in Jesus Christ without being old-fashioned and dated but necessarily just as preachy and audacious and in-your-face and with as much Swagger as Gangsta "thug" rappers. (Yes, in a manner of speaking, 50 cent and Beanie Siegel are extremely preachy and many of their converts are the very perpetrators of violent crime.) And now for a few popular Rap album titles: "Thug Motivation 101," "The Massacre," "Sound of Vengeance" (which recently topped the billboard pop--not rap--charts), and "Killa Season." No, we can't pretend that Rap music is "just music" any longer nor can we keep on vilifying gangsta rap either! Instead, we must start glorying and supporting and endorsing and recognizing and financing "power rap" (not to be mistaken with its innocuous, PC, distant cousin "positive rap") like the Frontlynaz. Are they the panacea for all that ails the inner city, of which violent crime is merely one ugly lesion? No, but they are a part of the cure. "Positive" just wont cut it any longer, only power will. The power of God's love and Vision for the 'Hood--as expressed through his latter-day rappers (among other agents) and the people who use their economic power and station to promote them. Google the Frontlynaz, book them and donate to groups like them.
I believe your article touched on many important aspects of violence. However what you are describing are symptoms - not the problem. Obviously if the problem was readily apparent we could take steps to remedy it. My belief is the essence to the problem is our current attitude of acceptable "human nature". If for example one could snap their fingers, and make the breed of pit bulls disappear (something several cities have discussed), people would find a new breed of fighting dog. If we could make every illegal drug disappear - we would find new ones. In particular, guns - if every illegal gun disappeared - a new weapon would replace it. In fact I believe in California, assults were taking place with water pistols filled with acid. The problem is the people. What we accept and choose to tolerate. Though the information may be anecdotal - it is know that crime is dealt with more stringently in some cities than in others. In Florida for example there are cities with no evidence of less complex problems such as graffiti, and litter. The reason is thought to be that law enforcement is more stringent from officers to judges. Perhaps we need to find what truely deters a person from commiting a crime. Having myself been a victim of several crimes in Philadelphia, and speaking to the police after the crimes - the police will tell you - that by the time the paper work for an arrest is filed - the perpetrator will have been released on bail and back on the street. The police will also tell you that someone usually commits a crime because they believe they can "get away with it". Regretably I think that is where Philadelphia is at this time. It is not the guns, not the drugs, but the knowledge that you can literally get away with murder. The solution - like so many other issues needs money. More officers, and judges that are not worried about putting someone in jail - because the jails are overcrowded. It is apparent to me that our law enforcement ability has had its' capacity exceeded - people are not afraid to commit crime. Sadly as I said before, the problem is a lack of funding. I would not commit a crime, because I do not want to go to prison. How different would it be if I knew I could commit a crime and even if I was caught - I knew it would only be a paper chase? I look forward to hopefully hearing from you. Thank you in advance for reading my opinion.
Dr. Dan Gottlieb once interviewed an Irish woman who spearheaded the efforts to stop the killing in her country. The key was providing economic opportunity so the young men involved didn't feel hopeless about their future. Oprah Winfrey has exposed the horrid conditions inside of our country's older school buildings. She also featured individuals who are attempting to transform the educational system. The city of Philadelphiz needs to target the local economy and foster an educational system where expectations for our children are raised.
Philadelphia has not experienced much economic growth of substance since WWII. There are basically three complexes that dominate the world of work here: one, medical, two, the university systems and three, the governmental bureaucracies. The aim is to get into one of these three large systems, only one of which is partially within the private sector. The fact that dollars do not flow easily into and through this city by means of basic free enterprise is a major problem---it means there is severe economic stagnation. How many retails stores are closing? How many times do you notice that new restaurant or electronics goods store is now out of business? How many groceries do you see opening up in any neighborhood? For all the upscale growth that is undoubtedly occurring, there is also an attendant closing down of businesses that outstrips the value of all the new businesses opening combined. Ultimately what will move into that vacuum of a lack of decent jobs and careers for the next generation will be crime---and, no, we cannot control it. It has an underground network that operates by rules outside those followed by mainstream society, and much like terrorism, it has the advantage of total "cover." I have lived in Philadelphia for nearly 16 years, and I notice many things: general rudeness and crudity in public spaces, especially verbal profanity; trash and garbage (including open food) strewn everywhere; lack of basic services that make sense in a modern city; basic breaking of rules, such as traffic and sidewalk protocols, spitting in the street and so on. I'm a Generation Xer and I am not a crank. But I am appalled. This is something I noticed when I first arrived here barely out of my teens. It is all interconnected. The type of society we get is the one we tolerate and to which we give no answer when the so-called "small things" begin to get out of hand. I feel as though it is very hard to critique some of the basic behaviors and attitudes that are part and parcel of what eventually feeds into many of the larger social problems and communication breakdowns we experience everyday. The "everyday" is profoundly political, and our stance towards some of these basic acts of civility and fair-mindedness are sometimes the only signs of good faith we can offer each other as total strangers living in a large city. They are paramount to being able to live in a city and not experience it as some sort of land of "red tooth and claw." As for the crime wave itself, it will eventually wear itself out, but I'm afraid not before a lot of people get killed. I was in New York in the 70s, and I remember very well the crime wave that city experienced---I was just a child, yet I recall it deeply. It left an indelible mark on me, and I always have lived in "safe" neighborhoods. I've been saying recently to friends that I suspected that something like this might hit Philadelphia. We can all speak about the usual culprits in this story of violence (something our American culture has something of a love affair with which is also very problemmatic)--poverty, bad schools, lack of services, poor transit lines and so on. We can't have had four ghettoes come to surround our center of town and also have expected to have either justice or peace for very long. But it is also those things plus other kinds of breakdowns of public acceptable behaviors that leads to a kind of lawlessness that has no break on the level of its brutality and senselessness. You can't appeal to decency or a code of honor or ethics within such a dynamic---and this is all across class, ethnic, racial and gender lines. This is where it is not about being poor, or being a member of a minority group, or being male, or what have you. I don't suggest that we go back in time as if the past was somehow idyllic---it certainly wasn't. I think, though, that we've gone so far down the line that there is no choice but to look at things quite differently than we have been up to this point. I do believe that showing an uncompromising face to this rising tide of crime will require acting in a manner that might seem less "understanding" about root causes, trigger mechanisms and so on. But ultimately, this is a battle, and it is pitched not to the average citizens' advantage. The businesses that depend on people feeling free enough to step out into their city's streets at all hours of broad daylight and eveningtime will all suffer if we retreat indoors---which right now seems like a good idea. I'd say it's been the general policy of our citizens on a consistent basis for at least thirty to fifty years. But while we can run, we can't hide. I suppose at a certain level we would all rather feel safe than sorry. But that means that those who would bring the terror of crime into our midst everyday have already won.
I've been to very many poor countries where most of the populations live below the United States poverty level. Yet, our crime rate is greater than theirs.
There is an obvious solution to the increasing violence problem that is avoided because it is too controversial or politically correct: reduce illegitimacy. This would not stop the senseless killings immediately but over time it would reduce them. Well intentioned rallies and speeches will not stop the violence without a reduction in illegitimacy. Addressing this underlying cause would result in fewer deadbeat dads who ignore their responsibilities and fewer women who give birth to children fathered by irresponsible men. It is common knowledge that children born out of wedlock are more likely to drop out of school, engage in crime and face a future of poverty. Many of the young men convicted of crimes are sons of women who are physically, emotionally and financially unable to care for their children. Too often a grandmother is left to rear the children, a task that is demanding even for two caring parents. This is meant as practical advice, not preachy morality. Preventing unwanted children in this age is neither difficult nor expensive. People who decry the level of street violence should advocate that fewer children be born out of wedlock.
I live in Kensington! I know wonderful Spanish persons who have moved back to their homes in Central America because of the violence of this neighborhood. I don't know the answer but I was appalled when the Mayor spoke last night of our city being clean and our schools improving!!!! Has he walked from Allegheny on G Street to Erie????????? Or anywhere near this area? The streets are filthy. It is not all the peoples fault. Bags of trash sit out uncollected. I walk from G and Westmorland to our Welcome Center on Allegheny Ave. and get half sick at the trash!!!!! I was a child in this area and at one time we had street cleaners! Perhaps it would help some people to get work. And we tried for the Olympics! Help! Are the schools in the inner city better? I don't think so. I have a cousin who teaches elementary school near here and she is worn out trying to teach and have discipline or some order! What about the uncurbed noises at night between cars with magnified sound boxes and people at all hours walking around. What is our curfew? I'm glad that we are addresssing the violence in some ways but all these aspects such as dirty streets contribute. I'll do my part to keep our streets clean and to help the neighbors become good citizens. The Mayor has power. I want to see what he does!!!
Drugs, guns, and young people without more appealing options. This is an old formula proven to have the same result whether you are talking New York in the 70's, DC in the 80's, etc., etc. The answers are the same too... a commitment of Community and City Leadership to change. Lots of community policing, aggressive drug enforcement, and brighter, clearer, alternatives for young people. It's a leadership decision, and our Mayor and Police Commissioner have yet to show any meaningful leadership on this issue. The communities, on the other hand, seem anxious for change.
Hello I want to start off by saying that my brother his name is Rhysaan and he was murdered last year, June 13th, 2006 in his home. He continued to hang around 52nd and Larchwood in West Philadelphia where we grew up. We did move and we got our own places. Before my brother was murdered he had just bought a home out in Darby, PA where he was murdered. What I believe the problem is with the crime in Philadelphia is that people are coming forward the information know, claiming that they are concerned for their lives, but are not realizing that these people will continue to kill regardless. We need to step up and save our communities and stop living in fear. We need to step up to the plate. My sister have been passing out flyers and holding vigils in memory of our brother and we have been keeping in touch with the media with our story. My brother's murderer is out there in the streets free to kill someone else's child and the Delaware County Police Department and District Attorney's office are not doing anything about it. My brother did not deserve to die regardless. My family wants answers and we call the District Attorney's office everyday to find out what is going on but he ignores our phone calls and our emails.
"better understand the criminal", social economic status", "our generation raping....." Oh BULL****. Bleeding heart liberals give Dems a bad name. "hugs for Guns" What a load. OK it is VERY simple. The crime rate has gone up each year. The number of cops on the street has gone down every year. There is your cause AND solution. Mayor Street doesn't care.
First, violence committed by individuals needs to be better understood. How much violence is committed by people with a mental disease or defect? Then what treatment is available for these people. The second question is why does anyone else believe that violence is an acceptable remedy over reason or morality?
Philadelphia is dirty. When it looks like no one cares about the little things (trash in the streets, grimy subways, city hall exterior renovations that take years and years, etc), people start thinking no one cares about major issues as well. See "the Broken Window" theory that Guiliani followed in New York. It's obviously not a comprehensive solution, but it's a start.
Our generation is reaping the results of removing God from all areas of public life. From the school prayer decision to the 60s, to sex, gun and death education in our schools, our country has abandoned the traditional Judeo Christian faith that gave our country its ethics and its greatness. Where there is no fear of God and ultimate judgment, there is no restraint. Solomon in the ancient book of Proverbs wrote "where there is no vision (revelation), the people cast off restraint." Unless we return to God and His laws, this country is headed to the ashbin of history just like the Roman Empire.
As a recent transplant, I would like to know WHY Philly has an escalating murder rate while other cities are seeing a reduction. It can't just be drugs or poverty...most major cities have a drug problem in certain neighborhoods, and everywhere has poor people. I think the local media could contribute quite a bit by looking at the REAL causes and comparing it to other cities that have controlled their crime problems, such as New York. Is it the availability of guns, so that minor altercations turn murderous? Is it ineffective policing? Unemployment? Is it a cultural issue specific to Philly? Are the majority of these crimes committed in specific neighborhoods, or are they random? Is it gang related? what have other cities done right? how might that be implemented here? If we as citizens understand the causes better I think we can better address them. This is what we rely on a free press to help us with, not just endless tragic reports of individual deaths, which tug our heartstrings but offer no real useful information.
My fiance, who lives in Baltimore, and I talk about the problem frequently. He was robbed, at gunpoint, in front of his house, by three kids who looked like they were around 12 years old. It broke his heart to look into their eyes and see cold dark nothing-ness. It will take years, but we both agree that good education is part of the answer, not what is passing for school currently. Also, married mentors who can help kids see the importance of strong families.
How do every day, working people - those of us who may in fact have answers, approaches and experiences - get involved in the conversation at this level? Often I see and here from the well known but all too often those of us who have worked in the trenches, with the young gangsters, in the prevention programs, in the alternatives to incarceration programs, jails and prisons, in the schools are too often not given the opportunity to share with this city and to the world what we have done and are doing. One of the saddest parts of this is that we have the answers and just want do anything about the problem. We spend time doing research and putting together task forces. We talk about more police presence, knowing that more police will not solve the problem - in fact law enforcement in and of itself is not a solution - at all. We need to practice "Comprehensive Community Wide Collaborations - every day - all day and all night. This entire tri city region - Philadelphia, Camden and Trenton are plagued with an identical pathology and it is not by accident. Gangs, Crime, Murder grows and gestates where the community is weakest and one of those places is in our schools. It is amazing to me that no violence intervention, interruption, reduction and prevention courses are not being taught in schools as apart of the curriculum. The history of violence to the present and all of the "isms" (i.e, ageism, adultism, anti-semitism, classism, heterosexism, homophobia, racism, sexism) are at the root of violence and that violence is contagious and can infect and engulf entire communities. Let others of us have our say!!!!!
Coming from Dallas and Houston, I see many things that are good and also bad about Philadelphia. Philadelphia has so many natural resources and yet it is being held back, perhaps because of bad/wrong tax policies. For whatever reason, Philadelphia seems unable to attract companies to locate there, to bring new jobs growth, and to bring new economic vitality. What is a population to do when job growth is in low single digits? The urban blight in some sections of Philadelphia needs a concerted answer. There may literally be blocks of abandoned buildings which need to be either demolished to make way for new construction or be re-developed in order to attract industrial use. Dallas used to be the crime capital of America, but it has fired its old police chief and now has a new chief empowered to hire more cops, to attack known crime junctions and to show police presence. The numbers of all crime have come down since. Can't Philadelphia take such action? Philadelphia location in the mid-Atlantic with ample universities and comparatively cheap real estate should be an easy sell to bring in new employers and new jobs. The poorly-run schools should be privatized by giving vouchers to parents or providing a charter-school option. After-school programs should be strengthened. There are lots of proven good ideas that Philadelphia needs to take up, or else it may once again be left behind. If NYC and D.C. could come to terms with their crime problems and bring in new vitality, surely the City of Brotherly Love can top that and live anew in the 21st century! It does take leadership. Does Philly have it?
L. Snyder and G.A. McCurdy, below, make thoughtful and well-reasoned statements. I agree wholeheartedly with both of them, and wish I knew "where to start." I also have another observation: perhaps superficial, but from the perspective of one who is new to the City. It is that there seem to be a great many here, even in the "good" neighborhoods, who are not "invested" in the City and/or civil society. They throw or leave trash in the streets (I have never seen such a dirty city) and there is a feeling of "them" vs. "us" - a sense that there are great economic divides, not just between neighborhoods but within them as well. (I live in Queen Village, for example, and see it here.) I do not know if statistics bear this out, but the "vibes" are striking. I have lived in several other cities, and it is stronger here than anywhere I have been. When you have such marked economic discrepancies between people living in close proximity, with those at the bottom seeing very little hope of change in their circumstances, you have the makings of a very angry and hostile situation. Also, I think that looking around and seeing trash, dirt, and ugliness causes people to be angry and mean and hard.
What we are seeing in Philadelphia is truly scary and disheartening. While the discussion continues to revolve around gun control, an issue that certainly needs discussing, it is drowning out the truly frightening aspect of this violence which is, people commit these crimes. That anybody could possibly think that killing another is an acceptable solution to a problem is beyond the pale of acceptability and understanding. Perhaps this is nothing new, just a new generation facing an old problem, but it needs to be said, the social breakdown in the segments of society, and lets be honest, this breakdown is at its worst in impoverished segments, is so staggering and appalling, that it is equally staggering and appalling that nothing is being done to address it. No matter the difficulties one faces in life, resorting to deadly violence or violence at all, is so utterly destructive that one really loses ones relationship with humanity.
There is no single long term or short term solution. The only reasonable approach must be comprehensive, accountable and results-based. Data shows that violent crime, violence itself is driven by a deeply entrenched drug epidemic. That said, Philadelphia remains driven more by status quo politics than by building science-driven solutions. We are the only major city in America that is not part of the Major Cities Initiative. Effective, proven anti-drug education; re-hab programs that are closely monitored and evaluated; prison systems dedicated to rehabilitation. Resources? Simply cleaning up our pay-to-play political system and investing in proven prevention rather than smoke & mirrors bandades like Operation Safe Streets could begin to change a seriously mis-lead urban environment. What we are witnessing today is nothing more than bad policies...well implemented. One last thought: could our existing political corruption exist at current levels if our mainstream media were fully engaged in aggressive, reponsible journalism. When was the last time Channel 12 did a feature or a series of features on 1.) pay-to-play, or 2.) Philadelphia's drug epidemic???....or any of the serious social issues we face today?
I think we need to change the way the news is delivered into our homes morning, noon and night. Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" was recently aired on Bravo TV network. I never saw it before, and I only caught a small portion of it. But it reported that the majority of Canadian homes have guns. However the violence against humanity in Canada is staggeringly low compared to the U.S. Michael Moore correlated that to what is reported in the news on television. As stated by Bill Moyers at the National Conference for Media Reform: "Someone has said recently that the great raucous mob that is democracy is rarely heard and that it's not just the fault of the current residents of the White House and the capital. There's too great a chasm between those of us in this business and those who depend on TV and radio as their window to the world. We treat them too much as an audience and not enough as citizens. They're invited to look through the window but too infrequently to come through the door and to participate, to make public broadcasting truly public." What would happen if we started a campaign to turn off the television's major network news. To fill our airways with good. Good music, good deeds, good ideals. . .real news! Encourage the public, rather than discourage. Start an email forwarding campaign to end the violence. We can begin by asking everyone to turn off the network news in our own homes, public areas such as doctors' offices and lounges with televisions. Instead turn to better alternatives such as WHYY. |
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