Tag: Crime

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Crime map update

I began tracking sexual assaults about 6 weeks ago when the serial rapist was crawling around the neighborhood.  There have been incidents since he was arrested.  In September, so far, there was a rape and and attempted rape.  I am including the entire 15th district because I never hear much about these crimes in the media.

On 9/11 in the 1600 block of Bridge Street and on 9/6 in the 4700 block of Edgemont Street (Bridesburg).  This is the second incident in Bridesburg this year.  We have posted a link on the crime map page.

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Frankford man slain in Kensington

I have to apologize for missing this story last week.  It sure did not make the headlines.  Now from the Northeast Times:

A shooting in Kensington on Sept. 2 claimed the life of a Frankford man.
Police responding to a 911 call on the 800 block of E. Thayer St. at 2:30 p.m. found 31-year-old Keith Bolden lying in the street with a gunshot wound of the chest.  Bolden, of the 5100 block of Saul St., was taken to Temple University Hospital and pronounced dead at 4:35 p.m.  Detectives had not named any suspects in the slaying as the Times went to press and were investigating possible motives, a police spokeswoman said. ••

This is the 3rd Frankford resident who was murdered elsewhere this year.  Now I’ll stick my neck out.  Murder in the city is treated as routine business in this city.   The mayor should be at the hospital every time somebody gets killed in Philadelphia.  Every useless death is a tragedy, even those of the punks who stupidly kill each other.  For some reason we look on some lives as more important than others and so they just don’t make the headlines and don’t get massive police investigation.  Feel free to comment.

While we are on the subject i got this email from a young film maker promoting a new film some of which was shot in Frankford.

PHILADELPHIA HOMICIDE CITY Money Murder & Politics
is a look into what issues really contribute to the struggle and poverty currently in America. It identifies that struggle and poverty are the most popular assumptions for the high murder rate in Philadelphia both statistically and through experience. The movie communicates possible solutions as well as some of the details seen from the situation as it exists currently.
The movie digs into the life and culture of the rougher neighborhoods and communities in Philadelphia in hopes to shed light on the issues faced to the rest of the population.
The film comes out September 26 2008.
This film has been in production since September 2007. There are already three faces in this movie we have heard to have been killed or have killed someone else. This movie was filmed, produced, and edited by two young adults (and friends) one a native to North Philadelphia and the second a Temple student from Albuquerque New Mexico.
Philadelphia will be thoroughly impressed by the work of these two individuals in this full fledged documentary presentation. The two film makers will donate any movie profits to charity organizations. http://www.youtube.com/v/Gn5b0BWzBMA&hl=en&fs=1”
http://www.youtube.com/v/Gn5b0BWzBMA&hl=en&fs=1“

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Matt Taubenberger crime-fighting plan

From the News Gleaner:

On the heals of announcing his support for hiring 1,300 new police officers for Philadelphia and 500 for Montgomery County, Republican legislative candidate Matt Taubenberger today released his crime fighting plan which focused on keeping repeat violent offenders in jail longer.Taubenberger’s plan calls for the elimination of parole for violent offenders; tougher judges who impose longer sentences for repeat violent offenders; imposition of mandatory five year jail sentences that will run concurrently for any repeat violent offender who commits a crime with a gun; and turning over all illegal aliens to federal immigration authorities who are apprehended by local police.

it’s good somebody is thinking about these things but why does this sound so familiar.  Get tough, lock em up, they get out and do it again.  When is somebody going to address the other end of the issue and keep these potential criminals from going down that path.

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Prisoner Reentry

Given the community’s interest in the prisoner reentry issue, we thought this link to the mayor’s office for the reentry of ex-offenders might be a good idea.  There are a few issues of interest to Frankford residents.  Given that prisoners are going to be released at some point, it makes sense to do the most to help them stay out of jail and out of trouble.

  • Is Frankford carrying a disproportionate share of the load compared to the rest of the city?
  • Are these programs bringing ex-offenders to live in Frankford who did not live here before going to jail?
  • Are these programs effective?
  • How is the effectiveness of the programs measured?

Follow the link to the mayor’s web site.