Official Greater Philadelphia Area Crime Thread (Warren: buffet, store, assess)

[JamesJay64]

17 homicides this year, up 31% from this time last year.... wtf?? If we continue at this rate, the numbers are going to be TERRIBLE by the end of the year. It's supposed to slow down in the winter and yet we have more than Chicago so far.

Sucks because I am a huge advocate that it's safe for most people to live here (because it is, and Philly is awesome), but these numbers don't help us from an optics perspective....

[cpomp]

Originally Posted by JamesJay64

17 homicides this year, up 31% from this time last year.... wtf?? If we continue at this rate, the numbers are going to be TERRIBLE by the end of the year. It's supposed to slow down in the winter and yet we have more than Chicago so far.

Sucks because I am a huge advocate that it's safe for most people to live here (because it is, and Philly is awesome), but these numbers don't help us from an optics perspective....

Holy Moly, and this is with freezing temperatures. Is there a map of where these homicides took place? Widespread or localized?

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by JamesJay64

17 homicides this year, up 31% from this time last year.... wtf?? If we continue at this rate, the numbers are going to be TERRIBLE by the end of the year. It's supposed to slow down in the winter and yet we have more than Chicago so far.

Sucks because I am a huge advocate that it's safe for most people to live here (because it is, and Philly is awesome), but these numbers don't help us from an optics perspective....

I don't agree that it is just optics. The violence and shootings affect everyone and they have become more widespread. That being said, it is just the very beginning of the year. 2007 had very high numbers early on but did not peak nearly as high as last year. It is very possible that this rate will not continue. We need a new district attorney and leadership, ultimately.

[JamesJay64]

Originally Posted by cpomp

Holy Moly, and this is with freezing temperatures. Is there a map of where these homicides took place? Widespread or localized?

Pretty much the usual locations: https://controller.phila.gov/philade...iolence/#/2022

When you switch the filter to "fatal only", 9 of the 11 are in North Philly, with one in South and one West.

[JamesJay64]

Originally Posted by ilovephilly79

I don't agree that it is just optics. The violence and shootings affect everyone and they have become more widespread. That being said, it is just the very beginning of the year. 2007 had very high numbers early on but did not peak nearly as high as last year. It is very possible that this rate will not continue. We need a new district attorney and leadership, ultimately.

Perhaps that was a bit self-absorbed of me to say, my apologies. Ask people living in Kensington and Frankford if it's just bad optics and they'll resoundingly say no. I just meant that from the outside, people will assume all of Philly is a dangerous place when in reality you can still traverse most areas safely. Agreed on new leadership being needed, we simply can't continue on this current trajectory if the city is to keep growing.

[ilovephilly79]

Originally Posted by JamesJay64

Perhaps that was a bit self-absorbed of me to say, my apologies. Ask people living in Kensington and Frankford if it's just bad optics and they'll resoundingly say no. I just meant that from the outside, people will assume all of Philly is a dangerous place when in reality you can still traverse most areas safely. Agreed on new leadership being needed, we simply can't continue on this current trajectory if the city is to keep growing.

It's a tough discussion because it's such a complex, large issue. We see it with the different reactions over time in this thread. The trick is to be aware and outraged, while also not letting it consume you and stop you from enjoying the good things in the city. I think the news, social media, and the mood of the day for each of us influences how we discuss and view these challenges. That being said, I don't think you were being self-absorbed.

[henrychen]

Three carjackings last night - with one carjacker getting plugged.

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by henrychen

Three carjackings last night - with one carjacker getting plugged.

Please no one take this the wrong way, but fewer things are more satisfying when some violent criminal gets popped by someone he's trying to commit a violent crime to.

[henrychen]

Originally Posted by Redddog

Please no one take this the wrong way, but fewer things are more satisfying when some violent criminal gets popped by someone he's trying to commit a violent crime to.

How could someone take that the wrong way?

[Redddog]

Originally Posted by henrychen

How could someone take that the wrong way?

Oh you know.... All us libs and whatnot.