Philadelphia A City Of Violence

Since January 1, 2012, the city of brotherly love has seen a stunning 49 homicide crimes alone. This is not counting the dozens of robberies, assaults, and burglaries and other crimes that plague the city on a daily basis. Such terror has rocked every facet of city life, which is known for its fancy restaurants and finest museums. In the past week alone the horror of these crimes have spilled over into Philadelphia School classrooms one incident involved the attack of a science teacher at Leeds Middle School when an altercation ensued over a correction he made on a student's paper. According to data going, back to February 16, 2012 only a few days ago crimes are occurring at the rate of twenty minutes or less apart. It is like watching Law and Order the only difference that this isn't occurring in the land of television these are real people with families, children of their own, and jobs all being affected by the fear that has taken hold of this fine city.

Philadelphia ended 2011 in a vicious cycle of blood baths with homicides totaling 324 deaths. Amid flash mobs, murders, and other violent crimes throughout the city, though it is not the murder capital of the world it sure is getting a head start. The city is not safe to be out in whether it is daylight or nighttime.

In January 23-year-old, John Kless who recently moved to the city for a new job had savagely been beaten by a group of men after he got into an argument with a cab driver. While walking along fourth and Chestnut at 2:30 AM in the morning Kless was attached by a group of four men who at the time of the incident were believed to be Middle Eastern. Later on Philadelphia Police were unclear as to the physical details of the assailants. Kless fought for his life while the men pounced on him amidst witnesses who neither offered help nor attempted to get any. John Kless died later that day shortly after 7 PM.

On January 12, 2012 Axel Burreto 30, shot a group of teens who were on their way to a fight involving his son. The incident, which had initiated over Facebook, had been brewing for some time. Burreto is charged with three counts of murder. Two of the victims Javier Orlandi and Joshua Soto both 14 years old were killed instantly. The third victim Dante Logo also 14 was taken off life support by family members several days later.

On January 3, 2012, 29-year-old Ronald Anderson Jr. was brutally shot by two men and two women. Anderson who was delivering pizza to the 2500 block of Massey Street at 10:30 PM was a victim of a robbery set up according to Philadelphia Police. Shot in the back of the neck Anderson tried to get to his SUV but failed to save himself. He was later rushed to University of Pennsylvania but died shortly before 11:00 PM.

On January 23, 2012 Rosemary "Reyna" Fernandez Rivera was gunned down after witnessing a crime that occurred outside her North Philadelphia store the day after Thanksgiving. Stephanie Mayweather the executive Director of East Division Crime Victim Services had been in the neighborhood for thirteen years and has seen the endless spiral of violence get worse with each passing year. Frightened herself to come to work each day Ms. Mayweather feels that if she did not where would the countless victims of Philadelphia Streets go.

Mayor Nutter one of the best mayors this city has seen in recent years often known for his ability to not mince words has lashed out at the parents of the teens who are inflicting violence and the criminals themselves. The mayor brought out a valid point that all of us here are wondering why were these teens out roaming the dark streets of Philadelphia on a school night when really they should be home concentrating on studies and schoolwork. Parents need to be accountable for their children at all times.

Furthermore, the Mayor has also made an attack on the criminals that feel they have the city by its throat. "If you want to act like an idiot, if you want to be an a--hole, if you want to be a lowlife in this town, we will track you down like the dog that you are," Nutter added, according to CBS Local News. In addition, the Mayor has put additional initiatives in action to clean up the streets. Officials are offering $20,000 to anyone who comes forth with information to solve a crime and $500 for locating illegal guns throughout the city. Finally, the mayor is increasing police presence and additional funding for the city's witness protection program.

In January alone Philadelphia had 34 crimes reported. That is a little over one crime a day. Since February there has been an additional 15 crimes committed. The rates of the crimes so far are occurring at a higher rate as they were this time last year.