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Holy lame-duck, Batman! Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson has apparently rolled up his sleeves, slipped off the kid gloves and finally engaged a worthy arch-nemesis: the city's violent criminals the media. 
According to Domelights, the always interesting police message board, the commish went stark raving mad at an FOP awards ceremony last week, blaming the media for, well, everything. So sayeth one eye witness:
"He praised the cops. Encouraged their families. He spoke out against the media. Pointed out how only two (I think) stations showed up and how quickly they left. Contrary to their behavior if you are accussed of something or if you shoot someone. (Then they'll stake out your house for days). He was VERY pointed in the fact that the media is not our friend. He came right and said that Yeah, we killed 20 people last year, but that the press fails to remind the public that at least 18 of them were ARMED with guns or knives."
Look, I've got nothing against Domelights or anyone who posted on this particular topic. Sylvester, though, is something different altogether. I'm glad that after watching the city fall into utter chaos over the past several years -- and yes, I'm looking at you, rising homicide tallies from '05, '06 and now '07 -- the town's Top Cop has singled out the media as the police department's number one enemy.
As someone who has spent an inordinate amount of time in church basements, conference rooms and police stations while Sylvester has mumbled half-heartedly through one tragedy after another, part of me is heartened to hear that he's trotting out some new phrases. God knows it's time to retire Sly's old soul-searching stand-by quotes, like: "We can't arrest our way out of this problem," "It's very frustrating," and "When you find drugs, you find guns, and when you find guns, you find violence."
But the other part of me thinks this is a sad attempt at 11th Hour glory from a Lion in Winter. Blame the media? Why not. It takes the focus off the fact that as commissioner, he has consistently seemed to be traveling on auto-pilot, roundly dismissing any suggestions that our police department could learn a thing or two from New York and other big cities about police strategies. (The Big Apple, with its population of 8 million, has seen its homicide numbers fall 43 percent this year, while ours has risen 22 percent. See story in tomorrow's Daily News.)
Light a torch and storm the media's castle? Sure, Sylvester. It'll rally the troops, and God knows, it's about time. When Simone and I put together a story last month about the next commissioner, we talked to a wide array of veteran cops who had all once admired Sylvester for being a quiet, decent guy who rose the ranks with dignity. Nearly all of them, though, said they were more than ready for a new leader -- so tired they were of being led by a guy whose listless presence did little to inspire confidence in the face of monumental challenges.
The media's out to get cops? Certainly, Sylvester. Must be the reason that we all devoted time and space to honor a patrol cop who heroically responded to the Navy Yard shooting. Must be the reason we contributed to reward funds to track down Gary Skerski's killer. Must be the reason we all show up at your press conferences, using our newspapers and air time to advertise detective division phone numbers to encourage people to help cops solve crimes.
Hang in there, chief. The election is just a few months away. And then, finally, it'll be exit stage left.
Comments (6)
Gee David........first Donald Rumsfeld and now Sylvester Johnson.
You are on a roll I guess. Who mans the "Death Star" in Philadelphia?
Though I will always have to give you and Simone (the Hansel and Gretel of the Daily News) credit for the good ideas you guys come up and the good features, sometimes you both go right off the cliff.
I've said it before......Sylvester Johnson is the most "misunderestimated" (a Bushism) man in Philadelphia. He retires at the end of this year, and then he begins his most valuable role in the community.
We just gotta make sure he gets there in one piece.
It will be interesting how the rest of the year goes.......and I am sure it won't be dull.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | February 28, 2007 6:05 PM
Posted on February 28, 2007 18:05
Hey Mike! Long time no chat. Sorry we've gone a month in between updating this site.
Sylvester could very well be misunderestimated. And I agree with you that as far as political figures go, he seems to have a genuine connection to the neighborhoods.
What I don't get is why he's suddenly able to tap into some hidden passion when it comes to slamming the media and yet seems lifeless and disinterested at conferences and one-on-one interviews when you press him on crime-fighting tactics.
Does he still inspire people? Maybe. I know some cops find it disheartening that he uses the same old lifeless quotes -- "We need a holistic approach," etc. -- at closed Compstat sessions as he does during press conferences with the media.
Mind you, I'm not blaming Sylvester's quote deficiencies for our murder problems; I think he's tired and worn out and desperately needs and wants to be out of the public eye. I just think it's silly for him to take aim at the media at this stage in the game.
Loved the Hansel and Gretel line, though.
Posted by david | February 28, 2007 9:36 PM
Posted on February 28, 2007 21:36
Hey David,
Was wondering when you guys would get back on the horse. In the meantime, I've been studying the new "Report" the daily news churned out. "Nothing stops a bullet like a job."
Anywho, Sylvester might be underestimated, but I can't even fathom the crap he's got to put up with when he deals with Street. Ultimately, his Honor decides what goes, and what doesn't, and I visualize Street riding Sylvester all the way to the grave. I feel bad for Sylvester, he probably got the job that he always wanted, and is now totally powerless to implement what he wanted to do in the position. I know this is all speculation, but when people lash like this, it's all about the transference.
Posted by Gtown_teach | March 1, 2007 8:01 AM
Posted on March 1, 2007 08:01
David,
Yes......I was going to mention that you both have been slacking on keeping the site updated, but what the heck.....(te Hansel and Gretel dig was enough in my view. Anything more could have been viewed as excessive.
But back to the point.
I for one am glad that the Commissioner will soon be retiring, but for very different reasons than you. That can be one thankless, dirty job and it can wear down even the best of people. After his military service and 40 plus years as a policeman.....he has done his duty. He has nothing more to prove or give back in that regard.
Its time for him to move forward with the next stage of his life......and I don't see him as someone desiring to move down south and spend the rest of his days fishing and tinkering around in the garden. His best "good works" are yet to come in the community.......and I for one and looking forward to see how effective THAT Sylvester Johnson is.
But it is a fundementally dishonest arguement to raise saying that his "failed leadership" has caused the situation in Philadelphia. That was going on well before he became Commissioner and it will go on longer after he has been replaced. That should tell you something.
And if you want to publically humiliate the guy for his own role, then you need to also blast the politicians, the other "civic leaders, much of the community at large for its apathy and indifference, and even look at yourselves in the media. But mostly you should look at the people commmitting these crimes and the violence.
I know you would call that "blaming the victim" or some such liberal nonsense but the fact is that the world is divided into two basic groups of people. Those that are willing to be part of a society, follow the law, and respect the rights of others........and those that could care less about any of that. People from all races fall into those two groups.
Concerning the second of the two groups.......they are for all intents and purposes waging war against society. They are not misunderstood, they are predators. That needs to be recognized and addressed as such.
But we all know how the media would react if people actually dealt the situation as it exists.
Lets not kid ourselves here.
And regarding why anyone would be lashing out at the media, least of all Sylvester Johnson, my comment is..........are you kidding me or what?
You guys could pizz of the pope on Xmas day with your nonsense and BS.
I say good for Sylvester Johnson. Somebody needs to tell you guys at times when to get off your high horse and shut your pieholes (lol).
Switch out Philly for Iraq, the PPD with the Army, the local thugs and criminals with terrorists and insurgents, and it is the EXACT same storyline from you guys. You could at least be original here.
Posted by Mike Bucceroni | March 1, 2007 6:52 PM
Posted on March 1, 2007 18:52
David, a wiser individual than I once said, It is weakness which breeds fear, and fear breeds distrust.
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Posted on March 1, 2007 19:43
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Posted on August 20, 2007 21:38