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relaxing

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Jul 17, 2006 13:03

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/15056483.htm
3 shootings in 21 minutes leave 3 dead this morningThen at 2:43, a cab driver was fatally shot in the head while filling his vehicle at a Hess gas station in the 4700 block of Chestnut Street in West Philadelphia ( Read more... )

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shoukinkasegi July 17 2006, 18:38:37 UTC

(averaging one person shot dead each day so far this year)
Christ. Is anybody doing anything about this?

relaxing July 17 2006, 18:48:31 UTC

The consensus seems to be: not really, no. And the citizens seem to be largely callous to it all. It's really frustrating.

shoukinkasegi July 17 2006, 18:51:31 UTC

Good that you moved on/out then. You're no Superman. It's in the guvmint's hands. That's what they're there for.

gap27 July 17 2006, 19:24:13 UTC

John Street is a largely useless Mayor, as is the current Police Commissioner in Philadelphia. They acknowledge the problem but have yet to enact any real solution besides simple band-aid fixes.

Many Philadelphians may be callous, but I think enough of us are angry to vote for someone slightly more competent than Mayor Street.

relaxing July 17 2006, 19:41:22 UTC

I just haven't been seeing much outrage over this. The newspaper columns have picked up in the last week or so, like they did the last time around. But we're nowhere close to civil unrest.

Until then it just doesn't matter because the city residents are not considered important stakeholders in the eyes of the government. The large businesses, developers, and property holders dictate policy, and they don't deal in crime-ridden areas.

gap27 July 17 2006, 20:29:24 UTC

The city government isn't really helping large businesses either, because many consider relocating to areas with a lower tax rate. For instance, this year business within the city limits grew only slightly, while business in the burbs grew much faster. Businesses don't like paying taxes.

In short, the government is largely helping themselves, as can be seen with all the recent corruption charges.

I'm on a few neighborhood listserves and message boards, including the University City Listserve. Crime in the city is one of the biggest issues discussed, and its really enlightening to hear neighbors discuss solutions and take action. One way to take action is to vote, but there are other ways as well. I would have to disagree that residents are apathetic to crime in the city. I'm not sure newspaper columns are a complete indication of resident opinions.

tlachtga July 20 2006, 17:26:11 UTC

But we're nowhere close to civil unrest.

And what would that do? Nothing. What are "the people" supposed to do? Riot? Hey man, PE got it right the first time--911 is a joke.

And don't forget, I have been a victim. It's not like I'm talking outta my ass.

Don't know about the next mayor--something might change, or might now. Maybe this crimewave is just more signs of the decline of America (i hope, i hope)

relaxing July 20 2006, 17:46:04 UTC

What are "the people" supposed to do? Riot?

Well yes, that is what I was getting at. If the city condo market is threatened, then you'll see action from city hall. (Otherwise, the next mayor won't have any more incentive to act than Street.)

I haven't forgotten.

tlachtga July 20 2006, 17:58:24 UTC

I haven't forgotten.

Sorry. It came across harsher than it was meant.

But yeah--as long as it's the poor being killed, the government doesn't give a damn.

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