Just in time for tonight's big forum on crime...Tom Knox has issued his crime plan.
It can be read here.
Among his proposals: He repeats his call for 1,000 additional cops (by the way, recruiting them will be a challenge -- did you see Mark McDonald's story in the Daily News about the possible need to remove the residency requirement to hire additional officers?); he wants to create a Mayor’s Office of Public Safety (probably not a bad idea); and continue the fight for stronger gun laws (good luck with that).
He brings up the idea of a 311 tipline again -- and he has a plan to reduce recidivism by 25 percent and plow the savings into other programs, including the Community College of Philadelphia. (Which is an excellent idea.)
He dwells on the drug fight, which we all know is personal for him. He wants to close drug houses, expand treatment court (which serves drug-addicted criminals) and create a citywide strategy for fighting drugs. You know, I suspect that message may resonate in our community, where so many people have the same kind of familial experience with drug addiction that Knox has had.
As usual, there are places that need more specifics -- I hope to hear more about what Knox sees as the city's role in the schools, though perhaps his crime plan isn't the place for that.
However, I want to give Knox some props for explicitly detailing the cost and funding of his proposals in his plan. Check that out -- that's the kind of specifics that voters need to hear.
Comments (2)
While most canadates press ideas for more police or better enforcement, I do not hear of getting to the root of the problems. While the specific issue is multiple, I beleive the basic problem is drug abuse. Some areas of the city, upwards of 40, 50 60% of individuals are involved in taking drugs. With such a market, there will be drug dealers, then comes the crime involved in territory diputes and the crime involved in stealing to get money for drugs like the common doillar store robberies and then you see junkies walking the streets selling shampoo and batteries. Why do we not hear about plans to get people off of drugs and get to the root of problems? Most likley because it attacts peoples personal lifes and is a hard thing to do.
Posted by Scott | February 23, 2007 7:54 AM
well I'm glad to see some details from Knox for once. Unfortunately it seesm like he is relying on grants and other government entities to provide a lot of funding. He also seems to be counting on increasing efficiency in government to free up lots of money but I really question how much money can be made available in the short term through greater efficieny. With civil service employees you cant lay off hundreds on a whim to save millions. Its not easy to shed government employees.
Posted by sj | February 23, 2007 8:48 AM