We're all tempted to talk about this crisis in terms of the general. Makes sense, since so many young black men are plagued by the same problems: under- and unemployment, poor education, absence of healthcare, splintered, fatherless families, hopelessness. But this approach tends to excuse behavior *from individuals* that is inexcusable from anyone, regardless of what they've suffered or been deprived of. There is simply no justification for gun violence. None. As a result of lumping all black youth together, we create a policy stasis: the problems are so overwhelming and pervasive that we can do nothing on any level.
The proper approach, I think, is to make individuals who violate their communities pay publicly: you're cleaning up garbage strewn streets and lots, your face is plastered on billboards as a traitor, you're called the loser and coward you are, and you go to jail, pay fines, etc. You are forced to feel the negative impacts of your conduct.
Not all young black men are criminals; the underlying assumption in conventional approaches to curbing violence is that they are. The tack I'm suggesting draws a clear line between miscreants and black youth who need understanding and support, and removes a burdenous association from those who don't deserve society's scorn.
We need to stop protecting the "rights" and understanding the pain of few who wilfully and callously terrorize whole communities. Let's severely punish those who don't respect the sacrifices of past generations of African Americans--people of decency and purpose who were hosed down, firebombed and lynched for having the termerity to demand to be treated like human beings; let's unapologetically ostracize and condemn criminals and destructive lowlifes to the actual degree their behaviors merit; and let's give the youth who are trying hard to be productive members of the real world --not the bling nation--the chance at success, happiness, and security they've earned.
That's how we're going to curb gun violence in black communities--making real distinctions between good people and bad ones, and not giving bad people any breaks.

Ever since i had my bike stolen by some monkey punk ass in 5th grade,Ive had no sympathy when the thug bastards kill eachother and shoot up their OWN neighborhood,Kill innocent people Cause they have to hold their 9 milli sideways(to look cool while murdering)You can only conclude your whining self rightous reporting on the matter has only added to the problem.But what the hell do i know i keep checking in to this weak ass liberal typical of fithadelphia crime reporting website.

To the poster above, it's not only what you say that sounds so ignorant, it's also how you say it.
Face it, dude, you're much closer in education and attitude to a monkey punk ass than any law-abiding, decent person. Learn spelling and grammar before you launch a racist attack. Helps your argument.

Looks like Giuliani time is comin' to Killadelphia! As long as Nutter stands by the police (as long as they're getting COMPSTAT-trackable results) like Giuliani did, come hell or high plunger, there is a chance at an NYC-style recovery. Time for the chemo and radiation to wipe out the cancer of homicide.

Better 406,000 civilian complaints than 406 corpses.

Yes, gun violence in many cities is mainly a black on black occurrence. This is no secret, nor some unmentioned elephant in the room - it's been acknowledged and analyzed at least since the crime wave in the late 80s/early 90s. I don't really see how race is "the truth behind the urban murder crisis" - it's a truth that everyone knows.

The thing is, focusing on the racial aspect is not useful - it doesn't help anything. The real elephants in the room are the terrible education system in urban areas and the lack of viable economic opportunities. These are things that can be addressed, unlike the race of the victims and shooters.

One thing I have to ask, and a few things i have to say. When did this become a policy thing? Isn't this a community thing? Isn't this a responsibility thing? Yeah, we need more jobs. We need better education. But, aren't we, as individuals, still repsonsible for our actions? I know there are tons of arguments out there about the broken legacy of the YBM, but it's still their decision not to goof off in class, not to cause trouble in the street, not to off each-other over petty disputes. Parents out there also have the responsibility to take control of their children's lives. Responsibility is being shed here, like many other avenues of American culture. It's being blamed on everything from policy, to video games, to racism.

Back to education and employment. The School District is direct result of the value the citizens of this city place on it. This isn't a conspiracy. This is a result of expectations. The parent's expectations that the district should provide everything from law-suit winnings to being a panacea to poor parenting. Parents need to set examples, make sacrifices, and discipline their children. The schools are there to educate. Not parent. We can mentor, but not rear. Education leads directly into employment. No offense, but nobody wants to hire urban kids when they don't know how to control their actions, their attitudes, and their language. Colleges also won't put up with these issues. The long-term solution to this problem is a change in community and individual priorities. We all know the short-term solution (long jail sentences, and tons of police).

Simone -- With all due respect, it is blindingly obvious why the media and "policymakers" won't publicly state what is evident to everyone else in this city.

Do you recall a Philadelphia Daily News piece published not too long ago that featured pictures of black men on its cover who were wanted for murder and were on the lam? This was a case of a major media outlet doing exactly what you suggest -- making it crystal clear that murders in Philadelphia overwhelmingly are committed by, and happen to, "brown folks". So what happened next? The outcry was deafening. Every group in the city -- wing nut and otherwise -- that sits on its hands watching its own people commit self-genocide all of a sudden had a problem (and yes, I am including the stunninngly useless local chapter of the NAACP). "Where are the white murderers?" "Why is it always about us?" "This is RACIST!!!" (All of these protestations, despite the fact that well over 90% of the murders in Philly are committed by "brown folks").

As far as "policymakers", what on Earth do you expect them to do? Once a political body publicly announces a policy that the murder problem is all about "brown folks", the only possible thing it can do is exactly what Michael Nutter plans -- profiling "brown folks". Talk to me after the first quarter of Nutter's first term if he actually goes through with this. I promise you it will not end well, and this era of Philadelphia will be marked by large scale protests, violence and embarassment. This will answer your question as to why "policymakers" don't want to call out "brown folks" on the murder issue.

If you want to discuss a "big ole' elephant", let's start with dismissing the canard that this is all the fault of our "terrible education system", a system into which we pour staggering amounts of money and resources. How about we all finally get some balls and call it like it is -- the core of this problem is largely self inflicted and is rooted in a genuine disrespect and disregard for hard work and authority. Don't believe me? Then explain to me how a great portion of inner city African Americans are somehow magically able to work hard and provide decent lives for themselves and their families? There's a "big ole' elephant" you'll never hear a peep about.

With all due respect, Deeney, that's precisely the kind of thinking that bothers me so much: the problems are defined in such a way that the only rational conclusion to draw is that nothing can be done until perfect conditions exist for change. Is there anything positive that can come out of your analysis? If not, why can't better times ever be envisioned, why can't constructive action ever be mapped out--not just by you, but by our law and policy makers who seemingly can't do anything beneficial? Is it cynicsm masquerading as realism?

*** Talk to me after the first quarter of Nutter's first term if he actually goes through with this. I promise you it will not end well, and this era of Philadelphia will be marked by large scale protests, violence and embarassment. This will answer your question as to why "policymakers" don't want to call out "brown folks" on the murder issue.***

I'm sure you're deeply frustrated with black leaders who refuse to talk about cultural problems, but their insistence on balance is understandable, given the toxic antagonism between black and white people here. It's extraordinary the racial hate and mistrust that exists in Philadelphia from both sides. And it's even more shocking just how much of it is rooted in reality--not imagined slights but real history and current behaviors. So it's hard to "blame" black "leaders" for pointing out the racism of news coverage, law enforcement policies and procedures, because, let's face it, there are an awful lot of white Philadelphians who see black folk as animals and will do just about anything to attack and impugn black people. That's undeniably an integral part of Philly.
That said, Nutter got sizable support from black Philadelphia, I think precisely because of stop and frisk. black people want action--notice I said "people" not "leaders"--and Nutter is offering it. Black people also know there will be hell to pay if it can be shown that some policemen used stop and frisk as a cover for brutal, racist or power-trippy attacks. There are safeguards already built in to the fabric of Philly so that doom and gloom pronouncements anticipating "large scale protests" might not be warranted.
The two top votegetters in the recent election were a nerdy black guy and a white millionaire. fattah didn't get too far with his povery pimp approach, couldn't get visible support when he rallied...to me, that's reason for optimism, not pessimism, and shows a transformation in how Philadelphians, white and black, are thinking about selecting political leadership.

Tbaxter:

Precisely! You just answered Simone's question as to why you never hear policymakers calling out "brown people" on the murder issue. You simply proved my point using a different angle.

Please tell me the safeguards you speak of that are built into the fabric of Philly.

Simone -- With all due respect, people with your viewpoint are exactly the problem. Apologists for the bad behavior of the black community only weaken the strengh of the honest, hard working decent people in those neighborhoods. You don't need a high school or college degree, or even a job, to know that killing is wrong. This basic tenet of human decency starts in the home, fatherless or not. No values taught, none learned and that's not Whitey's fault. When I see black or brown leaders/pastors/ministers/politicians stop ignoring the problem and calling out their own "people" on their behavior, then I will worry about it. But as long as the poor, inner city blighted youth have excuse makers like you to say "boo-hoo", nothing will change.

"How many more young Afro-Americans need to die until policymakers, along with the media, publicly recognize that the current up tick in senseless shootings have pervaded only one community....and your plan is what exactly?
"The longer we ignore the truth behind the urban murder crisis".....and the truth is what?
Why does govt. have to solve every inner city problem? Is John Street or Sylvester Johnson responible for every black person that picks up a gun and shoots someone over a gold chain, drugs, or the ever popular "he dissed me"?

Until the policy makers and media start savaging the black community for their lack of responsibility for this behavior, nothing will change...and that is the truth behind this urban crisis.

Andrew,

That's pretty cool that you put their voices up on Youtube. I really think hard working African Americans need to speak up. They've been silent for too long.

+/- 300 YBM's killed last year; add in women and Latinos and the number probably approaches 350. I don't think this is news to anyone, including the media; just look at the difference in news coverage when a pretty blonde girl gets killed!

So, congratulations, you've identified the problem. What's the solution? Call me jaded, but because of the "Stop Snitchin'" philosophy and virtually zero cooperation with law enforcement from the BLACK community, aside from prayer vigils and grandstanding, it's a wonder the attitude of law enforcement isn't "F--- it. Go ahead and kill yourselves!"

Ultimately, the community needs to take responsibility for its actions or continue to suffer the consequences.

Schools are paid by property taxes. Property taxes that aren't paid every where else in the nation subject the property to forclosure.

That's how good schools happen. Philly is owed over $622 million in overdue taxes. But no pol has had the spine to allow foreclosure collections since Rendell.

What is worse, foreclosures on deadbeat owners or schools I wouldn't send my dog to? Does Simone even realize that the people getting killed can hardly read what she is writing on their behalf? (Don't give up, Simone).

Will Nutter have the cojones to allow $622 million in property taxes to be collected with teeth? Will he allow people not to inherit houses that are never reassessed in real time, for real costs, for good schools?

Here's a letter I wrote to Simone's collegue education writer Mensah Dean, outlining where I got my numbers.

Dear Mr. Dean:

I would be grateful if you would cover the uncollected property taxes, which largely go to fund city schools. The numbers are astounding, and the data comes from the city via a FOIA request by a private citizen, Ed Goppelt.
The total owed to the city and schools is over $622 MILLION dollars.

About half of that goes DIRECTLY to fund schools. What would $322 million do for the budget of city schools?

Why concentrate only on covering the state increasing funding when Philadelphia property has the value to cover the lien debt owed?

Philly schools simply can't afford optional property tax payment! If we are going to rethink the way we do things, we have to look at all available resources and how we are managing them. Most people would simply pay the bill if compelled to. Actual foreclosure would be unlikely, as people would simply find ways to catch up in order to keep their homes.

Lien sales in an open competitive process, unlike RDA giveaways, would cover most of these tax liens, as well as gas and water liens. But most critical, having paying owners is critical to the survival of the schools.

What issue is more critical than Philadelphia's School District funding itself by those who live here, as do other school districts?

Here is the data, but you may view it yourself at http://www.hallwatch.org/proptax/about/redelinq/stats/summary

Types Amounts owed Number of Debtors

Business $245,863,932.37 56,329
Individuals $376,918,886.13 124,210
Total $622,782,818.50 180,539

Philly doesn't collect property taxes:

* 11 years means 11 years or greater

Years delinquent Property count Total delinquency

1 80,360 $81,653,573.17
2 23,775 $48,856,298.16
3 12,195 $32,702,018.86
4 7,834 $26,352,790.72
5 5,771 $24,481,946.88
6 4,612 $26,301,778.64
7 5,105 $24,895,863.68
8 3,645 $21,677,086.25
9 3,314 $22,665,143.63
10 3,707 $27,133,962.16
11 29,937 $286,062,183.35

Philadelphians vs. Non-Philadelphians

Group Total Due Total properties

Philadelphians $539,731,736.44 159,236
Non-Philadelphians $58,244,761.86 17,699

When we have almost $300 million in tax debt that is 11 years old or OLDER, you have to ask why are we nagging the state to pay our bills for us?

So why is no politician, no writer, no advocate, black or white or whatever, advocating to do a better job funding the schools by collecting the taxes already levied, already there?

What business could survive by being owed about half of its own budget?

No pol wants to be the pol who increases the size of the facilities on State Road. Yes, prisons. No pol wants to collect taxes, even when they were low and very easy to pay.

No preacher is going to say to his congregation, we need to pay our property taxes on time and in full.

It's up to the press to make a forum for the most obvious solutions, and first, it has to be to collect what is owed.

Selling these houses to paying owners will just enlarge the tax base needed to pay for schools and safety for the honest people of all races.

Schools and safety could both be addressed if Philly said to owners pay or lose your property to foreclosure to pay off the debt to the city.

The communities most plagued by violence are the communities that stand to benefit the most from property tax collection with teeth.

The papers seem to think that foreclosure is bad and wrong, when they don't realize that urban budgets depend on it to pay overdue taxes, gas, and water bills.

We can't afford a police department, a prison and probation/parole system with treatment, improved courts, or any of the much needed reforms undertaking by less wealthy cities who've experienced a decrease in crime... unless we really treat every owner as responsible for contributing by paying property taxes in Philadelphia.

Why is this so not on the radar?

What do people think NYC did?

*Precisely! You just answered Simone's question as to why you never hear policymakers calling out "brown people" on the murder issue. You simply proved my point using a different angle.

Please tell me the safeguards you speak of that are built into the fabric of Philly.*

Maybe you are too clever for me, Mike, but I think you gave my comments a cursory read and are selectively emphasizing a part to "prove" some cynical point of view of yours. But I didn't prove any points but my own.

The safeguard I'm talking about is pretty obvious from what I wrote, I think, and it is that because everyone knows of the danger of abuse, people are going to be especially vigilant as the policy goes into effect. Abuses will be reported and dealt with severely.

BTW, I do not share your perspective at all, and I don't believe that stop and frisk is destined to fail. This could be because I'm not a Philadelphian and I don't subscribe to the exceptionalist philosophy that problems here are intractable. It's an attitude I find defeatist and destructive, regardless of how many people embrace it as evidence of their "sophistication." Things can change. Things are changing, whether or not you believe it.

Tbaxter, I recommmend Juan Williams' book "Enough!"

It's really a primer on how to take responsibility, instead of blaming long since past "toxic" relations between races of people.

Philly was the home of freedom movements, abolition, Quakerism, public education, the underground railroad, and spawned a rich, educated black upper class that made its mark forever. Who cares what a few hooligans manage to think, really?

I don't see people who are hating each other, I see people who hate everyone but themselves standing on the corner selling poison to make money.

Any other spin is chasing phantoms. If a poster here wants to let criminals off the hook because of their race, you are like the parent who won't discipline his own children everyone but himself. The hardest thing to do in the world is to hold people you love accountable for their own actions.

There is no real evidence that proves that crime is caused by racism. Crime is caused by preventable factors, yes, primarily neglect, abuse, the home, parents, caretakers, and socialization into a moral framework over the lifespan.

Being black is treated by too many black folk as a diagnosis! If you're black, you've caught the "disease" of racism.

It's a skin color. That's it. All the rest is within your control. Look at whomever you admire of color -- Oprah, Barak, Juan Williams, oh, really any successful person of color, Simone, Nutter, and you see the same thing -- a person who makes education, generosity, and an incisive mind their identiy.

Not anger, vengance, bitterness, betrayal, and selfishness. That is what defines a criminal.

This is the greatest country in the world. Where else could anyone of any color go to make so much of themselves?

Philly has to act now, not blame.

Vote quimby,You sound like you need to be stopped and frisked and have a police camera mounted on your head.This is one part of liberals idealogy i love, just stop and frisk and put the animals under constant police surveillance,this nutter guy is my new hero.And now the police have a mandate to violate these thugs civil rights that theyve been taking from others.I could care less if it saves one life i just want to see some asshole frisked and treated like an animal.

Vote quimby,You sound like you need to be stopped and frisked and have a police camera mounted on your head.This is one part of liberals idealogy i love, just stop and frisk and put the animals under constant police surveillance,this nutter guy is my new hero.And now the police have a mandate to violate these thugs civil rights that theyve been taking from others.I could care less if it saves one life i just want to see some asshole frisked and treated like an animal.

Vote quimby,You sound like you need to be stopped and frisked and have a police camera mounted on your head.This is one part of liberals idealogy i love, just stop and frisk and put the animals under constant police surveillance,this nutter guy is my new hero.And now the police have a mandate to violate these thugs civil rights that theyve been taking from others.I could care less if it saves one life i just want to see some asshole frisked and treated like an animal.

It's really a primer on how to take responsibility, *instead of blaming long since past "toxic" relations between races of people. *

Such loaded and manipulative language: Who's "blaming?" The objective, rational, unvarnished, apolitical truth is that racism is a part of the woes here. Are you NOT in Philadelphia?

ROFL. That kind of transparent denial helps no one--not your argument, certainly not black youth who are lawabiding and hardworking. I suggested at the outset that criminals be punished and held up to scorn and ridicule and people who help themselves be given every support. There is nothing objectionable in that--except, perhaps to you, that I do not condemn an entire race of people, as you and your ilk seem only to eager to do.

You exemplify the kind of problematic person I don't have patience for: you gloss over what you don't like to focus on the aspects that allow you to be more moral-than-thou and a punitive paternalist. You force people to fight you as the first priority on principle.

As for reading Juan Williams, bully for you that you've cracked open a book, but I am not all that impressed. Here's a suggestion since we're all here right now: why don't you address what I've written instead of going so far off-base with a silly reading recommendation? If Juan Williams were here I'd happily discuss Philly's murder rate and the race factor with him, but it looks like he's not around. Go crying about Juan Williams? Sheesh! Can't you speak for yourself?

I am not amazed you can't honestly and honorably parse what I wrote and respond. Always with the subterfuge--that's the usual tactic when people of honorable intent try to talk about Philly's problems openly. Subterfuge, misdirection, obfuscation, and high-handed bullying--especially online.

This is a big part of why there's so much anger in the city of brotherly love. And if you think the racial toxicity is long since past HERE IN PHILADELPHIA you are a liar, knave, and fool, and there's no way to get around drawing those conclusions. The hostility is obvious to the most disinterested onlooker. Your conservative nostrums denying this BIG ELEPHANT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE are as tedious as they are dishonest.

You're not thinking of the good of this city at all, are you, on this little powertrip of yours. People like you are losing your influence, thankfully. The Hitlerian big lies your kind tells exacerbate other problems, and those problems are becoming so enormous, people are saying "Stop!" and developing strategies, regardless of whether you sanction them or not.

You might believe that their frustration presents an opportunity for you, but that's false optimism. There's no success in the cards for you.

And obviously taking the toxic blather of a out-of-touch goofus seriously enough to engage in a back and forth is encouraging the kind of fol-de-rol that's been so crippling to this city.

I like Philly too much for that. You'll have to firebreathe without me.

:))

LOL!

I agree w/ much of what has been written here. The consensus here seems to be that this SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM is out of touch. Just another bleeding-heart liberal making excuses for the black community. Jobs, education .. yada yada while all true are NO excuse for criminal activity. Now, I know many cops that when I ask about the murder rate in the city they just respond " it's just drug-dealers killing drug-dealers". (& for the most part that's true)After a while it creates a feeling of apathy for many in the city. It's like, if the black community doesn't care about this issue why should anyone else?

Sylvester Johnson = David Dinkins. That's pretty clear.

But.. Does

Michael Nutter = Rudy Giuliani?

This will certainly be interesting to watch.. Having seen the change in NYC from the mid 1980s to 2006 firsthand (I remember the Tompkins Sq. junkies and squatters and cardboard condos for the vagrants, and Times Sq. porn booths and fake ID shops, remember Giuliani calling in the bulldozers both literal and metaphorical), I'd like to see it happen in Philly as well.

Black-on-black crime is a black problem. I'm white. I find hip-hop, urban black culture contemptuous and repugnant. Until blacks stop looking for handouts, stop looking for the government to fix their problems, and take responsibility for their lives and their actions, I don't care what happens in Kensington. I have my nice, comfortable, white-bread life in a white suburb and that's the way I like it. Fix your own problems. Stay in school. Don't sell drugs. Keep your legs closed. Jesus - it's not that hard. Blacks make their own problems and I'm sick of hearing how I have to do something about it.

Those who would give up liberty for security deserve neither.

Its painfully obvious poor black people in these neighborhoods are too ignorant to know this, but they and the local press are against our presidents wiretapping of potential terrorists.Need i say more or has the hypocrisy settled in yet.

Quote "The consensus here seems to be that this SIMONE WEICHSELBAUM is out of touch. Just another bleeding-heart liberal making excuses for the black community.".

LOL.......I must laugh at that.

Perhaps that is the consensus, but that does not mean it is the correct opinion to hold.

I am not sure about the bleeding heart liberal part either. I myself feel largely the same, and I am definitely not a liberal (bleeding heart or otherwise). My own perspective is that of a neo-conservative.......which some say would make me a "liberal with a gun". Or, in my case, the Death Star.....right David? Gotta get that dig in whenever I can.

Personally I think that most of the posters here describe portions of the problem, and of the ultimate solution, but none put it all together and recognize that you are ALL correct. Or that you are ALL wrong. It is all of the views together that you must lump in to get the full answer.

Yes......it is a breakdown in individual behaviors and standards that have little, if anything, to do with the general environment. If it did, that would utterly fail to explain why the majority of other people living under the same conditions DON'T conduct themselves that way and are actually decent & hardworking people just trying to make it in this world and take care of their families.

Yes......it is also largely a matter of a thuggish & criminal mindset that must be changed by any legal means necessary. And part of that change involves cracking down and putting pressure on them. Some people will be so concerned about these people's rights. Why? They could care less about yours.

Oh, that is right. YOU are the better person and must transcend how THEY treat you. That is a view that will last until the day that YOU become their victim. It is always easy to hold such a view when it is someone else paying the price for it.

But it is also true that alternatives and options must be made available or you accomplish nothing but pulling weeds.....that will always simply grow back.

Society has an interest here, because any society benefits when as many of its citizens are productive, contributing, law respecting, and successful.

People who are doing well in life, and have achieveable goals and dreams for themselves generally are not out robbing, raping, killing, and terrorizing their communities.

But that is not going to happen until people stop the nonsense, stop making excuses, stop pointing fingers, stop being apathetic, stop applying band aids to bullet wounds, and start rolling up the old sleeves and getting to work mending what is wrong with OUR society.

And Simone......you and David are most certainly a part of that doing what you are doing. Putting the public spotlight on the social cancers and stirring the debate is very important. Even when that "debate" turns around and bonks you on the head. What the hell......one's critics often motivate a person more than their biggest supporters.

So get motivated Gretel and find your way out of those woods that we all are lost in.

Just do me a favor and get Hansel (aka David) out with you.

And have confidence that the old Death Star hovers protectively over you both. LOL

I dont mind real liberals who stand by their ideology but simone and her newspaper the (dinky liar) endorsed a mayoral candidate to bes, hard core conservative stop,frisk surveille police state,Then acts liberal, every one here knows if there was an r next to nutters name he would be called a rascist.This town used to do things like nutters policy under rizzo and look what the papers did to him.If we see blacks being stopped and frisked and running away from the police more than they already do what will you write?? will you remind your readers what your paper endorsed? I cant wait too see.

When gun violence is glorified in the home and the community you can't expect anything more than what you're getting. It isn't 50 cent's fault that you let your child watch his video and it isn't your child's fault when you didn't stop him from idolizing the video star instead of you. You are the parent--take control of the situation. Start teaching your kids the value of an education, the value of self-respect, the value of LIFE, and start to take responsibility for your own actions and their consequences. Kids don't know anything more than what they see right in front of them.

The answer is, as many people have said here, is to step up to the plate and take responsibility for THEIR actions. Laws are only as good as the people who follow them.

Civic leaders should stop making excuses for all the lawlessness behavior exhibited by some people. Once people decide to start exisiting in society and follow the "Golden Rule" then things will get better.