Shootings by Philly police soar as violent crime plummets

[The Straight Story]

The number of violent crimes fell last year in Philadelphia, as did assaults on police officers.

But the number of people shot by police is up.

Way up.

The number of shootings by police in 2012 resulting in death or injury climbed to the highest level it’s been in 10 years. Philadelphia police shot 52 suspects last year while responding to calls for reported crimes. Of those shot, 15 people died.

And the city's own police watchdog says the department hasn't provided a reason for the increase. The Police Advisory Commission has been repeatedly blocked in its efforts to review shootings and, according to the executive director of the Police Advisory Commission, Internal Affairs has refused to supply requested information about any of the shootings.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/Police_involved_shootings_in_Philly_soar_as_violent_crime_falls.html

[Bay Boy]

1. I guess if the police keep firing at the bad guys...

...the bad guys will be too busy ducking for cover to commit any crimes.

[Fumesucker]

2. Makes perfect sense

If the police just went ahead and shot everyone then there would be no violent crime at all.

[GiaGiovanni]

3. 2 most likely causes are

(1) Militarization of police by DHS

(2) Gentrification. Lots of white middle class types want to move back into the city. (Those old row houses have more room than the average suburban condo and cost less). The gentrifiers bring both money and fear of violence. The city wants the tax base the gentrifiers are bringing to a broke city, and officials are willing to back police brutality to bring that money into the city.

[mokawanis]

4. I guess it's bad form

to ask the cops why they're shooting so many people. Nothing to see here, just step over the dead guy and move along.