Wow, wish I had realized this when the stop-and-frisk bashing was at its peak in the campaign:
PHILLY COPS ALREADY USE STOP AND FRISK.
So says everyone -- including Mayoral Candidate Michael Nutter, who kicked off a storm during the mayoral primary when he suggested using it -- quoted in Catherine Lucey's story in the Daily News today.
Nutter explains that he wants to emphasize that we do use it. He doesn't say this exactly, but part of the reason for using new or noteworthy or even controversial police tactics is to make a big deal about them publicly, which reminds the city that the cops are indeed working hard to stop crime.
OK, that was a bit cynical. As is the fact that the police commissioner and current mayor let the bashing of Nutter's idea continue unchecked through the end of the campaign. But I digress.
I found the most interesting part of the story to be the fact that we have seen a steep increase in stop-and-frisk-type stops in 2006: 132,765 were made, up from just 87,812 stops in 2004. Last year's numbers equalled nine stops per 100 residents.
That's a lot of frisking.
Again, it's just a little surprising that, with all that frisking going on, no one said, at the end of the primary, "Why is this so controversial? We do this now -- a lot, in fact. And no one has said boo."
Oops. Got a bit cynical again. Sorry.
Comments (11)
Same old haunting melody - " Stop and Frisk ".
Two things Wendy. Either this type of campaign presence is going to be controversial hardware extended into November or the police are working in a course significance to beat -up on crime.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 18, 2007 10:27 AM
Extended hardware...
Posted by Anonymous | June 18, 2007 10:37 AM
Yeah Anonymous
I hate to say so to.
" Extended Hardware ".
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 18, 2007 10:44 AM
Very interesting how interruptions and procrastination can lead to a outwitting scheme. This date , Springfield Township and the Police bargaining unit are unable to negotiate a new contract in the interim. Word is. Its expected to take three arbitrators - one chosen by each side and a third neutral one - six to eight weeks to come up with a contract. Man ! I don't like the way this summary comparison sounds.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 18, 2007 10:55 AM
Wow, it's sad to to see just how dull this blog has become since the the general election. Good to see that mayor Street is shifting some of the city's dough over to his wife's non-profit child welfare agency. I wonder if Nutter is going to have a surplus of almost 300 million when he takes over in 2008? I don't doubt that the city coffers will be mad full of cash by then. Hmmmmm, still no comment from anyone on city council on Nutter's behalf... strange that????
Posted by Son of Anonymous | June 18, 2007 1:55 PM
SOA ... You may be looking at how Nutter's tenure in office will be... boring , dull and not much of a venture avenue and that the Nutter folks completely believe he's able to whip his opponent.
Politics in itself is a boring subject as well the participants especially when someone is constantly showing the nonesense of politics , it can become very easy to turn it off.
Honestly with the summer days and plenty of things to do. Who really sit's in front of the TV-tube 24/7 and watch presidential results two years before the election and a mayoral pitch months before its time to reject candidate minds and their immaterial essence.
No one but those without a life and those who daily scrub all sorts of moods in their limited mind.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 18, 2007 3:52 PM
"...candidate minds and their immaterial essence." WTF?
Jasper do you also believe that the communists are putting flouride in our water in order to pollute our precious bodily fluids?
Posted by Max | June 18, 2007 5:29 PM
Hell Max ,
Anything can be possible.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 19, 2007 8:36 AM
Hey Max ,
Five years ago today the space shuttle Endeavour returned to Earth with one Russian and two American crewmen who'd spent 61/2 months aboard the international space station. Max you suppose the Russian had any flouride ideas upon returning.
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 19, 2007 9:10 AM
SoA -- we just need you to throw a few elbows
Jasper -- huh?
Posted by Wendy | June 19, 2007 1:27 PM
Wendy .... Well spoken :-)
SoA ,
I got your back on any and every unnecessary initiating. I'm an old ( VET ) with courtesy attributes and civil determinants :-)
Posted by Jasper Zeigler Jr | June 19, 2007 2:15 PM