Gun violence Philly: Victims & City’s perspective

Hour 1

The grim tally of homicide victims in Philadelphia continues to grow, with 208 lives lost in 2012 thus far, and the vast majority slain by gun. That’s 16 murder victims since our last show on this subject, just two weeks ago. With the massacre in Colorado attracting media attention but little apparent momentum for new national gun control legislation, the daily deadly impact of guns continues on the streets of U.S. cities, including Philadelphia. On July 23rd, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and a host of other leaders announced a new four-month “surge” of federal money and agents to help the city’s police address the summer spike in violent crime. But will it make a difference in the streets? Joining us to discuss the impact of violent crime is someone who knows the cost too intimately: Mothers In Charge founder DOROTHY JOHNSON-SPEIGHT, whose son Khaaliq was shot and killed on December 6, 2001, over a parking space in Philadelphia. And we’ll hear about what law enforcement and public policy can do, including that federal-city partnership, from Philadelphia’s Public Safety Director, MICHAEL RESNICK.

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[audio: 080212_100630.mp3]