Posted on 12/25/2006 9:54:18 AM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
1997: Last Time 400 Mark Reached
(AP) PHILADELPHIA -- Four murders on the day before Christmas pushed the city's 2006 homicide total to 400 for the first time in nearly a decade.
The last time the city reached the 400 mark was 1997, when the year ended with 418 murders. That marked the last of eight years in the 1990s in which there were at least 400 killings, including a record 500 in 1990, according to police statistics.
The spate of overnight violence started when pizza delivery man Michael Orlando, 43, was shot while trying to make a delivery in the city's Frankford section at about 11:45 p.m. Saturday. He was pronounced dead shortly after midnight, according to Officer Yolanda Dawkins, a police spokeswoman.
About 2 1/2 hours later, a man was found shot on a North Philadelphia street and was later pronounced dead at a hospital. Shortly before 3 a.m., another man was found shot dead in West Philadelphia, Dawkins said. About 10 minutes later and just over 10 blocks away, the fourth victim was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. Other than Orlando, the victims' names were not immediately released and police did not immediately announce any arrests.
Police and city officials have struggled all year to find ways to reduce the violence.
While the high murder rates in the 1990s were widely attributed to the city's crack epidemic, police and city officials say this year's shootings don't follow a simple pattern. Many, however, have revolved around simple disputes, such as thefts and arguments.
Over the summer, officials announced plans to hire 200 new police officers to help combat the violence. The department also created a roving 46-member unit to be deployed on nights and weekends in high-crime areas. In addition, Mayor John F. Street announced plans to install surveillance cameras in some neighborhoods, a move supported overwhelmingly by voters in the May primary.
The mayor has also come out in support of measures such as limiting gun purchases to one a month and allowing municipalities to enact their own gun control laws. State lawmakers spent three days discussing such proposals last fall, but did not pass any bills.
In July, Street gave a televised address in which he begged for a halt to the killings and asked young people to "lay down your weapons. Do it now. Choose education over violence."
--let me be the first to say that we should abandon this quagmire--
Good thing Philly has really tight gun laws, or this problem would be much worse...
</sarcasm>
"Cit of Brotherly Love" ping
Yeah... what is the Mayor's exit strategy from this quagmire? I want to know what he knew and when he knew it and whether or not we got into this debacle the police are losing by lying to the public.
I demand state senate hearings! Impeach the Mayor of Philly!!!
DITTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Philly = hunting preserve
It is the city of Brotherly love. Its just the Bruvva's killing each other---and others.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Who would have ever thunk that Philly would become "another Vietnam."
A) A watch
B)Some weed
C) Some pu**y
Also the Hare Krishna's were out in full force.
The place was like the bar scene from Star Wars, all sorts of characters running around.
We need to consult with Iran and Syria.
Wonder if she is related to Darrell Dawkins, who used to be a big name in town.
Soon there'll be calls for a Philadelphia Study Group to explore alternative solutions? ;)
If only someone could help,.....
Where is Underdog when you need him?
The problem may be Pizzas. If they were not available and not delivered, the Auuault Weapons that killed these persons all by their selves san any human help would not
be murdering the citizens of Philidelphia wholesale.
Maybe a strong Mayor like, Mayor Block? Street? Whatever.
What was your response?
No thank you?
I told him to " Get the **ck away from me " and threatened to call for a cop.
Underdog resides 60 miles South in Ocean City , New Jersey . No kidding !
I'm waiting for the PSGP(Philadelphia Study Group Paragons) myself, before coming to any conclusion. /sarcasm
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