Philadelphia is on track to break another record for homicides, with 100 murders taking place within the city so far this year.
New data released by the Philadelphia Police Department showed murders up 32% this year compared to the same period in 2020. By March 16 last year, law enforcement recorded 76 homicides.
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In response to the violent streak, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney pledged weekly crime briefings to better update residents on initiatives the government will take to stop the near-daily barrage of shootings.
“The briefings will be open to members of the media and streamed publicly on the city of Philadelphia’s Facebook page,” said Kenney earlier this month.
The number of homicides in Philadelphia reached a 30-year high last year, with 499 killed almost entirely by gunfire. That number marked a 40% increase from 2019.
Blacks were the overwhelming majority of victims at 86%, despite making up only 44% of the city population. In total, 2,236 shootings took place last year, with 84% of those injured or killed being black.
“We don’t give up. We don’t give in,” Kenney said in January. “We are determined to save lives and create peace. We will turn the page on this dark chapter in the history of our city, and we will write the new book together. I vow to be with Philadelphians every step of the way as we take on this challenge.”
The cause of the increase in crime remains a subject of debate, with cities across the country witnessing similar record-setting bloodshed.
Many on the Right blame restorative justice policies from a new class of prosecutors. Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has implemented sweeping reforms to the criminal justice system, including a policy of not prosecuting numerous low-level offenses.
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Krasner, who took office in 2017 after running a campaign boosted by a nearly $1.5 million donation from left-wing billionaire George Soros, has faced criticism from both the federal government and residents over his handling of lawbreakers.
“I’m with my fellow defense attorneys every day, and they’re all down on their number of clients. Lawyers say to each other, ‘This Krasner is killing us.’ It sounds funny, it is funny, but it’s hurting the public. It’s not how much money I’m losing, I’m totally fine, I could retire,” Republican district attorney candidate Charles Peruto told the Washington Examiner earlier this year. “But the word is out. Criminals aren’t getting punishment. His office favors the public defenders. They all get the same deal, which is a better deal than if you just hired a lawyer. Word gets around rapidly on the street.”
