It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Man beaten in SEPTA subway station (Now we must fight the fear of crime too)
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008 at 11:59 pm - by Matt Campbell. Filed under: Crime.
Is it me or does it seem that we’re seeing more brazen crimes being committed in Philadelphia? I just saw this report on CBS3 about another attack related to SEPTA. In this case two men got into a fight at the 13th and Market Street subway station leaving one man in critical condition. Last week we had a “psycho hammers subway passenger,” senior citizen beaten in mall bathroom, and a playground shooting that left two dead. I know you could probably find a similar set of gruesome headlines from any major American city, but when you have such brazen attacks in such a short period of time it plays havoc on our sense of public safety. I sometimes try to find some logical thread that ties such crimes together, but no matter how hard I try I just come to the same conclusion that as a city we are losing hope. The hope that we’re turning a corner and this mayor, and this police commission have a magic wand to stop the senseless nature of these crimes from happening again. To Mayor Michael Nutter’s credit and his able Commissioner, they are thinking smarter and they are doing everything they can. But Mr Mayor, one of the goals you set out in your crime fighting plan earlier this year was also to fight the fear of crime. Statistically crime is lower, the number of murders is down more than 20-percent but if this city is to prosper we have to work together to find some answer to these crimes that make us all just want to go home and lock our doors. Is it just me or are these most recent crimes taking a toll on our sense of public safety?
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September 17th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Every city is most likely going through the same thing, however, at least we have a mayor that cares about our safety. To be honest, I believe Mayor Nutter is doing a great job, however, the media may not show all of his efforts.
I feel safe and have always felt safe. I’ve been through every single neighborhood every since I moved to Philly in 2003 and NOTHING has ever happened to me…thank you God.
September 17th, 2008 at 5:38 am
In the great words of Barak Obama…ENOUGH!!!
September 17th, 2008 at 6:41 am
Eric and Chris i share exactly both sentiments about Philadelphia. That’s the paradox about actual risk and perceived risk of becoming a victim of crime. On the one hand, intellectually I know that Center City is relatively safe as big cities go, but when you read that someone became a victim of crime in locations that make up your daily world, i have to admit it does play a number of your sense of security. That’s all I’m saying. So I say, yes Philly is safe and I agree we do have an administration that understands that crime is a police problem but I also walk through the Gallery Mall in Market East thinking “Enough.”
September 17th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
GUARDIAN ANGELS STEP UP PATROLS IN
SEPTA’S SUBWAY SYSTEM AFTER MOST RECENT ATTACKS
DATE: September 17th, 2008
TIME: 8:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
PLACE: 13th Street and Market Street SEPTA station
The Philadelphia Guardian Angels will increase their SEPTA subway patrols as a result of recent attacks. Two weeks ago we had a psycho hammering a subway passenger. Just last night, a man in his 40’s beat up a 23 year old man down on 13th and Market. Chapter leader Scott Gallagher has asked the New York City chapter to send in additional Guardian Angels to help the Philadelphia Guardian Angels patrol the system both by day and night.
The Philadelphia Guardian Angels could patrol the SEPTA system more often if they didn’t have to pay the fare. The Guardian Angels are renewing their plea to the SEPTA system to allow them to ride for free in return for volunteering their time to patrol the system. Presently the Guardian Angels are paying the fare while they patrol both subway lines.
Contact: Scott Gallagher
Phone: 610-960-8581
Email Address: phillyangel2@gmail.com
C.S.
Founder & President,
Guardian Angels
917-734-6999
curtsliwa@aol.com