It's Our City is a project that uses TV, Radio and Web
to promote civic engagement in the Philadelphia region.Does Philadelphia feel safer now that the crime rate has dropped?
Wednesday, September 24th, 2008 at 2:04 pm - by Matt Campbell. Filed under: Crime.
How can the crime rate be lower when things seem out of control on the streets of Philadelphia? That’s what’s been going through my mind lately, especially after yesterday’s shooting death of a Philadelphia Police officer. But if you check the police website you’ll see that the homicide rate is down 20% over this time last year. That’s is a big improvement. But I also remember that one of Mayor Michael Nutter’s goals is also to reduce the fear of crime. I applaud him for making the distinction. Because people considering moving to this region, often go more by what they’ve heard about Philly and see in the national headlines. So even if crime is down, perception still matters. So to find out how’s he doing on this front It’s Our City intern Amiekay Richcrick spent some time talking to folks about whether they feel safer.
We also want to know what you think. Do you feel safer now than last year?
September 25th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Psychologically - despite the cop killer issue - yes, Philly feels safer to me. I still miss my old Philly hometown of the 1970s, but it’s better than it was last year. Because now I feel we have a mayor who CARES, and that makes a world of difference. Mayor Nutter is out there, he’s visible, he’s talking, he’s working, he’s taking a stand and he’s doing something. We know he’s THERE. He opened City Hall and he’s taking action in areas that haven’t seen action, and he’s accomplished more in less time than his predecessor did in how long? So yes - I think Philly is a better place now …. but I’m still looking for more changes. I hope Nutter continues with the progress he’s making, I hope he doesn’t slack off or loosen the reins. I think Philly is safer - I just wish our cops didn’t have to pay the ultimate price for keeping us safer. I see more cops around and I thank God for them all the time.
November 20th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Is there a direct correlation of police deaths and overall crime rate? If murders in Philadelphia are down 20-30% then does it not make sense that more officers have put themselves in harms way for the greater good of the city. Is this not the job of a police officer? I imagine we are in the process of solving a great problem this city has and it is crime. If we concentrate on the casualties and not look at the successes then their deaths were in vain and we may stop trying all together out of anguish. Then the progress we have made will reverse its self. Each year we make a valiant effort the problems will get better, but if we stop our efforts because the process is difficult then we will fall into the depths of defeat and complacency.
December 25th, 2008 at 2:03 am
Numbers will fluctuate. The fact is violent crime is a major problem in our nation’s poor inner city communities. This goes back to the common broken family structure that exist in these high poverty areas and the misguided children that eventually commit these crimes. The neighborhoods full of drugs and poverty are the same as they have been for decades. Still dangerous places to live where crimes like robbery are common. I do not see any big changes in the city and I don’t think I will see a change in my lifetime. It’s not just Philly either; it’s NYC, it’s Newark, it’s Baltimore, it’s Trenton; it’s a national problem.
December 26th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I feel Safer. This year, so far the murder rate has gone down, by atleast half. I also like what the Man in the Video said about he knows where, not to go. Gun laws should not change, people should.
a gun cant pull its own trigger, and every person who pulls that trigger knows what they are doing is wrong. What philadelphia needs, is to realize we shold be reconized for “brotherly Love” not the Killadelphia!
January 24th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
I don’t think it’s safer. The city feels trashy. It feels unkept, like nobody cares. You have to get these kids to stop idolizing Rapper thugs and trying to mimic their images by being a stupid ass, running around with guns talking smut and sounding like a bunch of uneducated retarts. I don’t care if they’re white or black. Stupid is just plain stupid and the majority of these kids are being raised to believe stupid, lazy, disrespectful and violent is cool.
The whole nation is like that. It’s destroying neighborhoods. I’m over “cool”. Let’s get back to wholesome values that are geeky but bring unity.
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Its a very sad stage oh reality we are going through, lots of misperceptions can be seen, heard and lived from a lot of ordinary people, who in fact make the most majority of the population. Lots of crime happening evrywhere you go, and of course the economy right now won’t help to make it better, but yes, we ase philadelphians can make a difference, its us who make the whole philadelphia, its really up to us to what level we want to put our city. Everyone should work, and if something is happening next door, lets just not put the curtain down and act like we are deaf, but instead take an action and work with the police, communicate with the community relation officers and be safer in our neighborhoods… God bless this nation, help its people, give them the right mind in actions, and improve our society…(don’t mind my misspelling, just an emigrant with a broken english)…
February 23rd, 2009 at 3:54 pm
thanks mike for your thoughts. I think one of the best things we can do is be vigilant in our own neighborhoods and communicating to the police even minor crimes.