New Philly mayor declares crime emergency in Philadelphia

[babylonsister]

Nutter declares crime emergency in Philadelphia

By Lea Sitton Stanley

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

After being sworn in as the city's 98th mayor, Michael Nutter in his first official act signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency.

The order, effective immediately, directs new police Commissioner Charles Ramsey to determine what is behind Philadelphia's "crime crisis."

Nutter said the order directs Ramsey, who was also sworn in to office today, to develop a plan to make Philadelphia safer.

Ramsey is to submit the plan to Nutter by January 30.

"I don't think you have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out we have a serious crime problem," the mayor said. "We are nowhere {near} where we should be, we have a crime crisis."

He did not elaborate on more specifics of the order. But when asked it the order would trigger more federal or state aid, Nutter said no.

He added that he has spoken with state and federal officials about the city's crime problem.

more...

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/13497221.html

[SteppingRazor]

1. Nothing like political grandstanding, is there?

:eyes:

[itsrobert]

2. what is behind Philadelphia's "crime crisis."

It's the economy, stupid. Not you, Philly mayor.

[Snarkturian Clone]

7. The local economy is really good here in Philly right now.

At least much better than is was in 2000.

7th straight quarter of rising home prices, some big corps just moved their headquarters' here, LOTS of new construction (tax abatement helping that), office vacancy lower than it has been in a few years (though still pretty high due to the fact that Philly's taxes are astronomical), population growth for the first time in 60 years, lots of people moving in from NYC (the "sixth borough" crowd)... I moved here in 2003 and have noticed the changes in the city in the relatively short time I've been here. Neighborhoods that were absolute shit only 5 years ago are looking pretty nice now- with the same people living there.

The "crime crisis" Nutter (who I voted for) is referring to is our high murder rate which is, while lower than last year, pretty fucking high. About 75% of them are a result of new gangs and sets moving through from Trenton, Camden, Newark, and DC- but as far as regular street crimes go, they are relatively low.

I have a lot of confidence in Nutter. You should have seen the other shlubs that were running against him in the democratic mayoral primary here. One was a corrupt union kingpin, another was one of our congressmen who wanted to charge out of towners a fee to enter the city, yet another was a rich phony (who came to my workplace), one was a local religious leader.

Best of all, the days of John Street are over. What a corrupt bastard. Waited in line for an IPhone on taxpayers' time and when asked about it, said "No I'm not" like a little kid. Glad he's finally gone.

[Captain Angry]

3. When the first 15 minutes of the local news hour is new murders

It's time to do something.

[Adsos Letter]

5. Yup...

...my daughter goes to Med school in Philly...she says the murder rate is unbelievable.

[Captain Angry]

6. I used to go there every summer.

And the city got worse and worse.

Last time I was there, I didn't feel safe indoors. There are whole sections of town that have been given up on by the police for safety reasons. It's like the sections of Detroit in Robocop.

Very depressing.

Mayor Street had a program to remove thousands of abandoned cars from the streets. When the entire city is basically a landfill, and is treated as such, bad stuff will happen.

[Adsos Letter]

8. ...agreed...

my daughter says that Philadelphia's dangerous areas are like a checkerboard throughout the city; you can make the transition from a safe area to an unsafe one in the blink of an eye.

Their apartments have a manned security gate, and they haven't had any problems, but they are careful when they go out.

She says it is really sad because many of the murders are kids shooting other kids, or unintended bystanders.

So much about crime and violence is tied to economic opportunity...if only we could pump some really serious dough into well run, targeted efforts at alleviating most of that...maybe we could make a difference here at home.

It is very sad, though...last time I was there I told her I wanted to go over to Camden to see some Revolutionary War sites...she and her husband just laughed... :(


Edit:...spelling... :dunce:

[onethatcares]

9. seriously?

I'm planning on taking my grandson to Philadelphia in April, to see the birthplace of liberty. All of it, including the Franklin museum. is there no place i can feel safe taking him?

[brucefan]

10. Go ahead and take him.

Center City is safe,with all the attractions pretty close together.COME AND HAVE FUN!

[Snarkturian Clone]

11. Don't let the suburbanites scare you.

Center City is safe. Check out the Mutter Museum.

[Adsos Letter]

12. ...suburbanites?...

Hardly, and Center City IS safe, and lots of fun...as are other portions of the area...but there are places where you should be careful, and use normal caution...

No need to be insulting... :eyes:

[FredScuttle]

4. "The Wire" in real life

"Ill"-adelphia, no doubt.

[CreekDog]

13. It's freakin' guns available easily and everywhere

I'll just say it and some of you lurking out there can flame with impunity all you want -- you are still wrong if you say guns are not the problem.

Face it, if guns are readily available, human nature being what it is, there will be more killings than if guns are not as readily available. Yes, it takes a person to shoot them, but the access to them makes it more likely they will be fired...and with the type of guns available, they may be fired quickly so that one person kills multiple people.