Recently, the winter months has left Philadelphia more crime ridden and accompanied with apathetic and confused civilian. The numbers tell no lies; according to the Philadelphia crime database website from February 13th to March 15th the amount of crime has been 5,838 crimes. The stats from the Philadelphia police department aren’t any better either. Crimes range from aggravated assault to burglaries to theft, all types included, seemed to have seen a significant increase in numbers and severity.
It beckons the question why and how these crimes have become so frequent. The answer according to some journalist and even sources like Burns’ text, The Criminal Justice System say it’s us; it is our fault. Yes, you, crime is all because of you, because it your problem, as it is everyone’s problem.
Countless times, one hears, this is our city and it is in our hands. Or even, this is our country. But, the greatest is this, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” JFK had a nice little point there in his inaugural speech, but you have to wonder how clear the message was. Do we, as citizens, actually answer this call to do for our country or to take matters, our community and our environment, into our own hands? If we did, there would be an increased involvement in this criminal justice system and a recognition that crime is society’s problem.
In today’s Philadelphia Inquirer, columnist, Karen Heller, reflects on this ideal. Referencing, Police Commissioner, Charles Ramsey and his findings and proceedings, the journalist explains, even with an increase of crime, we cannot determine if the crime growth is a growing trend. Even more importantly, crime as a whole must be assessed in incremented years, specifically between 10 and 20. When one looks to cities similar to Philly, Chicago, New York, and even Baltimore, you have to realize that a decrease in crime was a result of consolidated efforts on all parties. As the commissioner knows, crime and recidivism reduction was a result of newfound opportunities, stable economic times and income, increased police force, targeted areas of crime and locations, and great leadership. Sadly, many of these realities are falling against the commissioner. Hard economic times have accompanied increased auto and home thefts, with petty crimes growing as well. These same conditions have caused a probable $6 million financial fund reduction, in addition to an already pending $4 million cut. Essentially, this creates a short handed staff and less qualified and even experienced personell. So, then one asks themselves, how can Ramsey do it all?
EXACTLY! He can’t. It takes the communal effort to relieve many of the issues spreeing from criminal activity. It takes active citizens to raise other active citizens and to avoid creating a generation of hoodlums and criminals. Even Ramsey agrees saying that “There’s not enough attention paid to parenting, and the parents’ role, or lack thereof. People want to blame it on the schools. Their job isn’t to raise your kids. Their job is to educate your kids…”(Inquirer).
So, yes the crime rate may be increasing this year or even this month, but how can it decrease with the odds against Ramsey and unconcerned citizens. Only way to find out is to continue the trend we as citizens have started and watched a city may fall to crime.
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