January has not been a good month for crime in Philadelphia. Or rather, it’s been a great month for crime, and not so great for law-abiding citizens.
By Jan. 18, the city had seen 21 homicides — more than it experienced during that period in the past five years.
Earlier in the month, there were the Flyers fans who beat a man in a Rangers jersey until he was unconscious near Geno’s cheesesteak shop.
Last week, a man shot and killed three teens who were threatening his stepson, prompting Mayor Nutter to chastise the young people and call for “adults not to act like idiots and assholes.”
Early Saturday morning, three men beat another man to death near Fourth and Chestnut streets after a misunderstanding over a cab. At presstime, the suspects had not been identified.
On Monday evening — about the time when people have left work, before they’ve sat down to dinner — a man purported to have a gun held up Spruce Street Video, in the heart of the Gayborhood.
Since early 2010, PGN has run a weekly summary of crime in the Gayborhood, with the full knowledge that this represents only a portion of the crime that affects the LGBT community in Philadelphia.
For the most part, Philadelphians are dealing with petty crime — break-ins, bicycle, phone and computer thefts, car windows smashed. Though annoying and obnoxious, these types of crimes are different from violent crimes. They can be frustrating and leave victims feeling violated. Perhaps angry and disappointed that someone took something you worked hard for, contained valuable data or that had sentimental value. A few might be magnanimous, believing that whoever took it needs it more than they do: The universe gives, the universe takes.
But it’s the violent crimes that make one feel physically unsafe — not just those specifically victimized, but also anyone who works, lives or frequents that neighborhood or area.
In general, violent crimes have declined in Philadelphia. Murder, rape and arson are down 55 percent since the 1990s. And perhaps that is what makes these recent incidents so disturbing.
Certainly, citizens can take steps to make themselves safer — security cameras, avoid walking alone in dark alleys, be aware of one’s surroundings. But when it comes to violence, Philadelphia — we — needs to find a solution.
Whether it’s stricter penalties for illegal guns, better education and programs for youth or efforts to reduce poverty, the city and its citizens needs improvement. Having a violent reputation hurts us all — residents, youth, businesses, tourists.