When we ask people which issues they care most about in the race for the Next Mayor, there is one issue that generates more passion than any other. And that's violent crime in the city.
There's no question this is THE issue for the Mayor's race in Philadelphia. There were 380 homicides in the city last year -- while far-larger New York had only 540 -- and we are on pace for another record year.
Yes, the homicides do group themselves geographically, clustering in neighborhoods suffering from a scourage of drugs. And yes, there are drug dealers in our city who shoot each other sometimes. But anyone who lives or works in Philadelphia and believes that violent crime only happens to "other people" needs to wake up. I suggest reading the story of William Palmer, an 18-year-old Cheney University student -- and the son of two cops -- shot while manning the parking lot at Hahnemann Hospital.
That, folks, is the heart of Center City.
What to do about this, however, is not an easy question to answer. Any criminologist can tell you that homicide follows socio-economic trends. When more people in your city have jobs, for example, violent crime falls. But city leaders do have a role to play. In New York, the most famous example, the "broken windows" approach is still paying off -- cops pay attention to little crimes, and the improved atmosphere actually helps prevent bigger ones. In Philly, Police Commisisoner Sylvester Johnson is trying to crack down on people wanted on warrants or engaged in drug or gun crimes.
One thing that's certain is that we will need a detailed crime plan from each of the men who Would Be Mayor. What would they do? What do they think the role of the Police Commissioner should be? 
Do we have enough cops? What is their informed opinion of crime-fighting strategies such as the "broken windows" approach?
One other thing that's certain is that simple signs -- which have NO crime plan behind them -- are just electioneering, and a cynical use of a problem both serious and deadly.
Your thoughts?
Comments (8)
Looks like Knox for Philly has provided it's own campaign nickname: "TBD - To Be Determined"
So we have Fattah's "Revenge of the Nerds" and Knox's "TBD."
Posted by Dan | June 26, 2006 12:26 PM
Most guns being used in crimes aren't gotten legally, or otherwise under their name. The lawmakers are helpless against the gun issue, so they just keep taking it out on those who legally wish to express their right to own arms. It also stimulates the illegal gun trade, the tighter these restrictions on guns become. Legal gun ownership really has no baring on their criminal use. These lawmakers really need to start taking up causes they can actually do something about, like raising the minimum wage, instead of wasting public money and time on their own chestbeating.
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