Philadelphia Murder Count 2011

[MariusPontmercy]

Currently stands at 316. Most other US cities will be showing declines in their homicide rates. Even troubled cities like Baltimore are seeing big decreases this year, but not us. Philadelphia's has remained stubbornly high. I think maybe it's time to start thinking of some new policing methods, or looking into other factors. Why are almost all other US cities seeing declines in homicides, but not Philadelphia?

[mixiboi]

Currently stands at 316. Most other US cities will be showing declines in their homicide rates. Even troubled cities like Baltimore are seeing big decreases this year, but not us. Philadelphia's has remained stubbornly high. I think maybe it's time to start thinking of some new policing methods, or looking into other factors. Why are almost all other US cities seeing declines in homicides, but not Philadelphia?

Population decreases...

Baltimore city QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau

Baltimore drop 4%. People are getting out then sticking around.


But really, who knows why, homicides may be down but robberies are up. So I wouldn't be giving any city pats on the back on something that they may had nothing to do with.

[eldondre]

Currently stands at 316. Most other US cities will be showing declines in their homicide rates. Even troubled cities like Baltimore are seeing big decreases this year, but not us. Philadelphia's has remained stubbornly high. I think maybe it's time to start thinking of some new policing methods, or looking into other factors. Why are almost all other US cities seeing declines in homicides, but not Philadelphia?

the homicide rate started creeping back up with budget cuts to the department. perhaps it's not policing methods but the city's judicial "system." that said, baltimore is still a pretty rough town

[DocAwesome]

The abortion murders at the beginning of the year has really started the count off to a bad start. The count has gone down for a few years now, rather startlingly, which was concurrent with the stop and frisk law which was pulled back a bit recently. Perhaps this is a factor.

[Hospitalitygirl]

The abortion murders at the beginning of the year has really started the count off to a bad start. The count has gone down for a few years now, rather startlingly, which was concurrent with the stop and frisk law which was pulled back a bit recently. Perhaps this is a factor.

This. 8 of the murders were the abortions by Kermit Gosnell, which actually happened in other years but had to be added to this year's count by FBI standards. The commissioner was on Fox29 this morning and discussed this point as well as adding that the overall shootings and rapes were down, but that there were many shootings that involved multiple gunshots (presumably the multiple gunshot wounds made living through it more difficult--that was my takeaway from how he phrased it).

[Fishtown Phan]

The number given at the top of the thread is with those murders taken out, with them we stand at 326. That being said homicides are not the greatest yard stick to measure saftey by, it could simply mean that people are better shots this year than two years ago.

[mixiboi]

Or worst shots, remembering the number of stories about bystanders that were hit and killed.

[eldondre]

The number given at the top of the thread is with those murders taken out, with them we stand at 326. That being said homicides are not the greatest yard stick to measure saftey by, it could simply mean that people are better shots this year than two years ago.

overall crime isn't going own either (though shootings were down which does indicate people being better shots). the cops appear to be struggling with decreasing the rate since the city cut their funding AND they were unable to get concessions from the union to get cops back on the street (supposedly philly has a high number of high paid cops manning desks instead of lower paid admins)...then there's the other facts which maybe the lawyers here can weigh in on, the DA's office, and what they might be able to do, if anything

[GroJLart]

The count is still better than 2007 and 2008, even with the Gosnell stuff.

[3rd&Brown]

I'm starting to think it's our god-awful judicial system.

Many of these crimes are committed by people who should be in jail for other reasons.

[raider.adam]

overall crime isn't going own either (though shootings were down which does indicate people being better shots). the cops appear to be struggling with decreasing the rate since the city cut their funding AND they were unable to get concessions from the union to get cops back on the street (supposedly philly has a high number of high paid cops manning desks instead of lower paid admins)...then there's the other facts which maybe the lawyers here can weigh in on, the DA's office, and what they might be able to do, if anything

To play devil's advocate, it would be interesting to see a snapshot of crime during the Occupy Philly period. Did pulling cops from other parts of the City and overworking other officers with overtime to hang around City Hall have a negative effect on crime rates?

[MariusPontmercy]

I'm starting to think it's our god-awful judicial system.

Many of these crimes are committed by people who should be in jail for other reasons.

I have to agree. If we don't have the resources to commit more officers to the streets than the thugs we do pick up need to be put away for good so they can't come back and cause more trouble. As it stands, too many criminals are let go, and the police dept. simply doesn't have the manpower to keep chasing after the same guys ten times in a row.

[annie]

Has the PPD laid off stop and frisk?

[billy ross]

Philly needs to do a better job of exporting or otherwise reducing it's criminal class. As long as they're around, with their sociopathic habits, the problem will continue.

[StatesRights]

So much crime, so many Killings and maimings in Philadelphia!!!! so... eight murders (abortions) could be disqualified for 2011. This would make that city, what, number two or three on the list of the MURDER RATES? Oh My Word- Thats heartening!!

[StatesRights]

No, the working class is moving out in record numbers- the criminals are wallowing.

[raider.adam]

Has the PPD laid off stop and frisk?

I believe they have been.

Interesting anecdotal story... There was a bunch of activism of people complaining about Stop and Frisk and the racism involved and all of that. In my neighborhood, a heck of a lot of residents were all for Stop and Frisk if it meant getting drug dealers off of the street corners.

[BarryG]

I believe they have been.

Interesting anecdotal story... There was a bunch of activism of people complaining about Stop and Frisk and the racism involved and all of that. In my neighborhood, a heck of a lot of residents were all for Stop and Frisk if it meant getting drug dealers off of the street corners.

I thought they started it back up, but had to keep better records or something like that? The ruling came in and it didn't force them to halt stop & frisk, just add paperwork. I guess that would slow it down.

[raider.adam]

I thought they started it back up, but had to keep better records or something like that? The ruling came in and it didn't force them to halt stop & frisk, just add paperwork. I guess that would slow it down.

Philly Stop-and-frisk policy gets court supervision - Philly.com

The new system will be in place next year. They didn't say, but I would infer they would put a halt on the program until it was in place.

[BarryG]

Philly Stop-and-frisk policy gets court supervision - Philly.com

The new system will be in place next year. They didn't say, but I would infer they would put a halt on the program until it was in place.

The ACLU has got to go.