Yeah I don't fault Philadelphians for this -- we're voters, not public safety experts -- but it's someone's responsibility to advocate an alternative to what will be an expensive and costly attempt to pacify Philadelphia's hotspots. I think that this is a case of triage overwhelming its cynical philosophical and geographical boundaries and affecting 'civilians' as the cops call them on 'The Wire.'
I just don't think community policing can solve this problem either. I think the police are overwhelmed, poorly trained and poorly informed. Add to that longstanding racial problems [see Doug's comment on Rizzo -- ah, it's worth noting that when Al Gore gave a speech in West Philly on the steps of Memorial Hall, he was speaking in front of one of Rizzo's notorious military outposts with an arsenal at his back!]
Philly cops in action on in Old City [major nightlife zone]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44_sE2YqzcE
Cheers, J T. -- J T. Ramsay Music Editor - Comcast.net 2352 Letterly St. Philadelphia, PA 19125 comcast.net/music/ blackmailismylife.com/blog