CALL IT 'KILLADELPHIA'?

Philadelphia Daily News ^ | 12/31/2007 | DAVE DAVIES

[dirtboy]

Despite progress, the city's murder rate is No. 1 among big cities. Figures tell the story, but don't nail the solution.

AS Philadelphia approaches the new year and a new mayor, the murder rate remains an appalling blight on the city's reputation and a threat to our quality of life. While shootings and other violent crimes are down from last year, there's only slight improvement from the 406 homicides recorded in 2006. As of last night, the city had suffered 391 murders in 2007, the highest rate per 100,000 residents among the nation's 10 largest cities.

It hasn't always been this bad.

From 1998 through 2002, Philadelphia's homicide rate went down and stayed down. Look at the numbers:

[Gritty]

"How about electing a Republican mayor?"... Bloomberg come to mind?

Bloomberg is a Republican? Who knew?

[ladyjane]

What! Are you saying you wouldn’t offer a job to someone wearing alternative clothing? What’s the matter with you?

Seriously, why do people think they can show up for a job interview wearing inappropriate clothing?

[gunner03]

Excellent analyze, don’t forget Mayor Street saying “the brothers are now running the city”.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

I saw everything from veiled muslim women, to big puffy hundred dollar bill jackets, to gold teeth and do-rags, to a man in a shiny purple suit - complete with hat & feather and cane. I kid you not.

“Y’all got jobs? What kin I do to git me oneadem jobs?” was the most commonly axed question.

[The_Media_never_lie]

I used to cop drugs and hang out all night in these places. Been mugged and had guns pointed at me more than a few times. Those were the days :)

Glad that is in the past. Sounds like your future will be a lot more promising since you don't go there any more.

Hope I don't wander off into one of those areas by mistake.

Plan to make it to party New Years Eve, 2008. Will make reservations early.

[GeneralisimoFranciscoFranco]

I posted this before, I know a Philly cop who tells me in 12 years on the force he has NEVER seen a judge impose a mandatory minimum sentance, NEVER!!!

So the thug who gets caught with drugs and a gun gets one charge tossed and is back on the street faster to commit more crime.

And all the "leaders" in the city just made a big fuss to pass toughter gun laws. They don't enforce the ones on the books.

[MileHi]

Happy New Year, dirtboy.

BTW, I don’t know what the top ten cities for homocide are, but I bet I know what party has been in charge for decades in each one of them....

[radiohead]

I’m curious, what kind of jobs was Wachovia looking to fill?

I got out of Philly in ‘97 and went back for the first time last summer. I was pleasantly surprised at how much Center City and University City had been built up with restaurants and shops. But... walking around Market St. was depressing. The people looked poor and the ones who didn’t look angry looked apathetic. I had to deal w/city employees on several occasions and found them less than helpful. I went back to my old house in Univ City and found that the clean, well-stocked and pleasant Korean grocery was now dirty, bare and run by Dominicans. Several stores were empty and the area (in which houses are selling now for almost $300K!) looked run down.

I could have gotten a nice faculty position in Philly, but opted for the heartland. Seeing Philly again, I know I made the right choice.

[dirtboy]

And Happy New Year to you, MileHi!

[dead]

The city's murder rate is No. 1 among big cities.