St. Louis CofCC Blog

Philadelphia Inquirer:

On a day devoted to neighborhood festivals promoting peace and harmony, Philadelphia police reported four more homicides yesterday, bringing the year’s total to 285.

Local civic leaders and antiviolence groups ended the summer with block parties and street fairs against the backdrop of a murderous season: Since the first of June, 117 people have been killed in the city.

“Unfortunately, we’re in a national epidemic of violence,” State Sen. Anthony Williams said yesterday after reviewing high-stepping drill teams and local bands at his annual Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood Street Festival in West Philadelphia. “We’re trying to get people together, and speak to this generation in a way they can relate to, that we have to deal with this violence.”

(snip)

Michael Nutter, the Democratic nominee for mayor, said the latest shootings were part of “this surge of violence that represents a breakdown in community relations.” He attended three block parties yesterday, and he said he hoped festivals could begin to restore a sense of security and neighborhood camaraderie.

Nutter joined Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson and other leaders at the West Philadelphia street festival, which promoted neighborhood peace.

“Given what’s been going on in the city, we have to remind people that we can be safe in our neighborhoods, that people do care,” Nutter said. “We need to have more of these. They’re community builders, and they provide a safe environment for our kids and our seniors.”

If he truly believes this, then he can comply with Truth-in-Advertising laws by changing “er” to “y” in his last name. And make sure the outgoing mayor changes that card in his iPhone address book in earnest.