Despite all the hewing and hawing that the city needs gun control in order to get control of its skyrocketing homicide rate, it is actually on par to drop 3% in 2007. That’s not to say there’s nothing to worry about; this is still way too high. But notice this:
And what does Mooney attribute this 3% drop to?
“I think with the difference this year; you have to give credit to increased community awareness and involvement in the violence.”
John Appledorn of Citizens Crime Commission whole-heartedly agrees:
“Basically what you have is that people are fed up. They are sick and tired of the criminals running this community. They’re getting away with murder, they are terrorizing people and they are going to make that phone call and get them off the street.”
Appledorn says the Citizens Crime Commission has helped police with tips on cases from graffiti to murder. That number is 215-546-TIPS.
So communities being more willing to work with police can make a difference? I’m shocked, really.
From the title of the post, I was kind of thinking this was about murders of gay people in Philly.
oops