DV Journal

There is a common problem across our commonwealth and even our nation with some professions facing a shortage of workers – teachers and nurses being two of whom we hear a great deal about in the Legislature. What gets less attention and is more alarming is the police shortage, particularly in Philadelphia.

The Philadelphia Police Department currently has 1,500 vacancies, and they need our help to address this growing problem, especially considering the dire straits the city is in.

Criminals have been empowered to rule the streets by a district attorney who refuses to prosecute and who releases perpetrators right back into the community immediately after arrest. It is no wonder the police department is struggling to recruit new officers. Who wants to risk their lives for crimes that will just be thrown out by a DA who favors lawlessness?

We cannot turn a blind eye to crimes, and we cannot turn a blind eye to the men and women who have stepped up to do the job, but who need more boots on the ground. And those of us who don’t live in Philadelphia cannot turn a blind eye to the city and say, “not my problem.”

This is a Pennsylvania problem. A healthy, strong Philadelphia means a healthy, strong Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is the prime driver of the Pennsylvania economy.

Additionally, parents are hesitant to send their children to Philadelphia-based universities, which impacts those schools, the city and our future workforce. Businesses are leaving or not locating in the city, which decreases tax revenue and limits the attractions for tourists. At the same time, tourists simply don’t want to come because they don’t feel safe due to open drug markets and violent crime, including high rates of homicide.

The city’s Office of the Controller has a website with up-to-date mapping of “Philadelphia’s Gun Violence Crisis.” According to that site, as of June 11, 2024, there have been 120 homicides in Philadelphia, not to mention the 410 in 2023 and the 514 in 2022. So far there have been 468 shooting victims this year with 106 of those being fatal.

Those on the other side of the aisle will cry “gun control” in response to those numbers. I will remind them that the overwhelming majority of crimes involving a firearm are committed using an illegally obtained gun. Criminals do not care about gun laws, just as they do not care about taking another person’s life.

All this greatly impacts the local and state economy.

It also impacts Philadelphia’s border counties and beyond. Criminals don’t stop at the city limits. So, those communities in Bucks, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester counties are also feeling the impact – be it economically or by police officers encountering criminals during vehicle stops, if the person even stops and doesn’t simply flee and drive recklessly through suburban neighborhoods.

What those border counties do have though, is the ability to pay their officers well – starting at over $90,000, not including overtime, compared to Philadelphia’s average starting salary of $62,0000. This is much less money for a much more difficult, dangerous, and demanding job.

I am not disparaging the officers in those other counties. I am calling out the fact that Philadelphia must take drastic steps to improve safety and security to change how people view the city, and that starts with hiring, paying, supporting and retaining police officers. A once proud department is depleted and crest fallen from a morale perspective.

I look forward to working across the aisle in a bipartisan manner to develop solutions that will help this ailing city.  We need to bring the Philadelphia Police Department back to full complement and pay these brave souls a competitive salary and prosecute those who attempt to destroy the grand “City of Brotherly Love.” Then and only then, will she be restored.

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Philadelphia Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker got it right when she chose Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Kevin Bethel as the new police commissioner.

Parker has been a frequent guest on my show over the past 18 months or so, and several times, she told me she wanted someone as commissioner who could find “Broad and Spring Garden without using a GPS.” She wanted someone who knew the DNA of Philadelphia and the police department. She also wanted a data-driven person to proactively prevent crime.

Former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams said that when he, former Mayor Michael Nutter, and former Police Commissioner Ramsey worked together to make Philadelphia a safe city, Bethel was the point person. Bethel suggested and executed strategies to fit their master plan. Williams commended Bethel’s emotional intelligence and agreed with me about how Bethel would engage with Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, who we both view as a major obstacle to Philadelphia’s safety.

I think Bethel gave us a clue to his plan in his opening news conference. He diplomatically said he looked forward to working with Krasner but then pivoted to saying that he would enforce all laws and consistently present the public with the records of arrests and police operations.

That tells me that Bethel, unlike former Commissioner Danielle Outlaw, will enforce and document police actions on things like shoplifting. Krasner famously issued a directive to his staff not to prosecute shoplifting crimes that were under $499.

As a result. police looked the other way for most shoplifting, and shop owners felt they just had to endure these crimes–or close up shop and leave Philadelphia.

Parker said she would challenge this $499 rule in her victory speech.

I was heartened by Bethel’s comments on the role of police.

“I can sit here and tell you, I ain’t gonna lock up a 10-year-old child for coming to school with a pair of scissors,” Bethel said. “But I also could tell you that I’m gonna lock up somebody who comes in a store and robs somebody with a gun. I am gonna talk about locking up somebody who sits there and kills people in our streets. We are gonna talk about that. I’m gonna talk about my mother-in-law, who’s scared to come out of her door. My mother-in -law has been in her home for 50 years, but scared to come out of her door. Why can she not sit on her step? So, we have a job to do as part of policing. Our job is to enforce the law.”

Bethel also has a record of treating police officers fairly while holding them accountable. My police sources vouch for him in this area.

So, Danielle Outlaw is gone, and Mayor Jim Kenney is down to around his last 30 days. I expect very good things from Parker and Bethel. I also don’t expect Krasner to change. I do think Bethel will challenge Krasner’s position regarding leniency for felons carrying firearms. Bethel will prove that the police are enforcing shoplifting laws and Krasner is not. I also hope Parker and Bethel can make the case in minority communities that Krasner is an impediment to safety.

And, arguments are being made this week before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to certify Krasner’s impeachment, which could lead to his possible removal with a trial in the Pennsylvania Senate.

Looking in my crystal ball, I see improvements in Philadelphia with a big battle ahead.