What does Philadelphia need to do to stop violence against police officers?

Question

Within the last month 4 police officers have been shot and Philadelphia has become one of the most dangerous cities in the United States due to the over abundance and easy access to guns. One officer was shot last night and within 12 hours of that (10:30am est today) another police officer was shot in the head right as he walked in the door of a Dunkin Donuts (the search still continues and the officer is in "extremely critical condition" at this time). Do you think the city can someday pull itself to safety or is it doomed to become a violent slum?

I really don't buy any excuse that has to do with "cops having a bad attitude". Thats a bunch of crap...cops have bad attitudes cause people are shooting them. How happy are they supposed to be knowing that you may be a potential dangerous criminal? Remember, you don't know them and they don't know you.

Answer 1

Unfortunately, violence breeds more violence.

I'm from England where Handguns are illegal for the majority of the population and there are quite strict controls for legit holders of rifles etc.

However, some of the naive folks here think that banning all Guns is gonna solve the problem... know one told them that most of the gun crime is committed with illegal guns anyway.

And, when you can travel through France to England rarely having to show a passport people can bring in what they want.

So, onto the point in question.

What will most likely happen is that you end up with more strict laws such as no handguns etc. It will come eventually, even if it doesn't make a difference, people will still cry out for the banning of such things.

After that happens and crime still continues at the same rate, then the police officers will get more suspicious of everyone, will walk around in groups of two or more, will carry arms all the time, will probably be on duty all the time, will have the right (if not already) to shoot anyone with a gun on site, it will become one massive blood bath....

But don't worry, after Philadelphia has suffered enough, it will be Englands turn. We have already had masses of Teenages stabbed in the last year and handgun crime has gone up massively SINCE the Dunblane tragedy.

We can always rely on the bright sparks at the Human Rights Association to come up with some good ideas....
Oh no wait, they don't do that, they just complain that prisoners don't have sky television!

Actually the guy below has hit the nail on the head exactly.
People live with their heads up their backsides and are unwilling to get involved in things that are risky to them.

When we should be punishing the people who do these things, we instead lock them away and forget about them until their release date or they decide to appeal and get their 10 year sentence quashed to 4 years for good behaviour.

It's the spineless goverments and the many cowardly people who live their lives and choose to ignore what there eyes are seeing.

Answer 2

Philadelphia has not become dangerous because of the drugs or guns. I can take 100 cases of guns and 5 pounds of heroin and place them in my home town and unless their are also criminals, my town does not become dangerous. Do you see what I am getting at? Drugs and guns are not intelligent items with minds of their own. The problems lies with the people and only by working with the people will you fix the problem. You need to ask why these people feel the need to turn to crime and drugs, and fix those problems. This is the only way you are going to clean up Philadelphia. You can take all the guns and drugs off the streets, but until you fix the problem which causes people to turn to these things, the drugs and guns will keep coming back in. I see no major programs in place that try to change the overall mindset of the people, so most likely it will stay dangerous.

Answer 3

Sorry bud, it's not "due to the over abundance and easy access to guns."

A society will sink to whatever depths its members are willing to allow. The problem is Philadelphians tolerate a criminal element living among them. They know who robs, shoots, deals drugs to, and otherwise abuses them but they refuse to report these criminals. Philly is a violent slum because the folks living there are satisfied with it.

Answer 4

Exactly why I moved out of there. Neighborhoods were going to hell in a handbasket.
Its doomed to be a slum.

Answer 5

honestly they should bring 500 soldiers from the army to walk in the ghetto,, and look fo rthe gangs and criminals,,,search all people at night,, ask ids, check their records and lock them up...that is funny,, a city in usa where police is the target..they should carry protection vest

Answer 6

anyone who shoots a cop should get life in prison. anyone who kills a cop should get the death penalty. Anyone who attempts to kill an officer by any means should get life in prison.

anyone who resists a lawful arrest should get five years in the can.

anyone who runs from a cop should get 5 years.

Answer 7

train officers to control their temper. make them patrol on foot and mingle with the crowd. smile when they r on duty instead of showing that mean,angry look in public. most officers over react to citizens which make them think ALL officers are jerk and rude. make all officers to exercise daily and stay in shape. this will reduce stress and feeling great during work hours. make them stop smoking,this make them depress and no motivation to go to work.

Answer 8

sounds like they need a tougher police force. or they could alway shot them back. then maybe theyd get more respect.

Answer 9

Time to bust heads!

Answer 10

sounds like they need to ban that darned rap music...