Thursday 29 September 2022 10:02 PM Philadelphia's Democrat DA DEFENDS his lax policies after surge of shootings ... trends now
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner appeared on Good Day Philadelphia to discuss the recent crime wave gripping the city and defended himself against accusations that his policies are to blame for the crimes.
Krasner appeared on the Fox 29 News Philadelphia show on Thursday and was instantly pressed about crime in the city in the wake of a spate of shootings - one has occurred every day of the week since May 31.
'We have a terrible crisis in this country when it comes to gun violence. I don’t have good news for you, but I will tell you the number of homicides this day last year was more,' Krasner said.
When asked about his policies that have let those with gun charges back out onto the street to commit murders, Krasner claimed that it was the direction the city should go in.
'We do not want to just be prosecuting people after the crime, we want to stop the crime from happening and save that victim’s life,' he said of his measures.
Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner appeared on Good Day Philadelphia, and defended his policies that many believe have resulted in a crime surge
Philadelphia residents have decried a recent spate of violent crime that has seen more than 750 people shot since the end of May, as a series of high profile incidents have rocked the crime-ridden city
Krasner said he hopes to prevent crimes before they happen
The hosts interviewing Krasner pushed back on him seemingly saying things were getting better, and asked what tangible solutions he can provide that will solve the issue.
'The lesson is that we were in a shaky position when the pandemic hit and there should have been a lot more money into things like football, which are necessary for prevention, which is constructive,' he responded.
Despite Krasner's claims, many in Pennsylvania are unhappy with the District Attorney's decision making, but he again struck down the idea that he's doing a bad job.
'The areas of this city where we had the highest level of support were the areas that are most affected by gun violence, because they believe in what we’re trying to do,' he said.
'The perception is there for political reasons and only within certain communities,' Krasner continued, alluding to rural counties that are typically against the DA.
The crime wave, meanwhile, has spared no one - with one incident this past week seeing a Temple University grad murdered by a masked gunman while walking the street, and another claiming the life of a 14-year-old football player when he was heading home from a school scrimmage.
Mass looting and other brazen assaults have also been commonplace, such as one over the weekend that saw more than 100 children as young as 10 storm and ransack a Wawa convenience store.
In another filmed incident, a commuter was held at gunpoint by a masked marauder while waiting for the subway - further outraging fed-up Philadelphians.
Philadelphia's District Attorney is the controversial, soft on crime Larry Krasner, who was re-elected in 2021 but has faced dubious impeachment attempts in 2022 amid the crime wave
The steady stream of violent episodes lambasted leftist city officials for the wave of incident, including progressive Mayor Jim Kenney - who was forced last month to stage an emergency meeting behind closed doors with city officials to discuss ways to reduce the violence
AG Josh Shapiro has been long accused of being soft on crime as the state's twice-elected attorney general
The steady stream of violent episodes spurred city officials - including progressive Mayor Jim Kenney - to stage a meeting last month behind closed doors to discuss ways to reduce the violence.
However, despite this, gun violence has been on the rise, causing many to speak out against the city's soft-on-crime policies and politicians, calling for change in a city that has been touted as the birthplace of American democracy.
In addition to the mayor and the city in general, many have honed in on the city's controversial Attorney General and District Attorney, who have both been touted as 'progressive' and have implemented soft policies that have granted repeat offenders multiple chances to escape incarceration.
AG Josh Shapiro, meanwhile, has been long accused of being soft on crime as the state's twice-elected attorney general.
A flood of criticism comes amid a slew of troubling incidents in the city - causing Philly police to appeal to the mayor that they ‘can’t keep up’ with the rapidly rising homicide rate and the mayor on Monday signing an order that will ban citizens from carrying guns in public places like parks and schools.
In June, the Democrat mayor of Philadelphia blasted the 'horrendous, brazen and despicable act of gun violence' plaguing the nation after an overnight mass shooting left three dead and at least 11 injured in his city.
Kenney called for officials to 'address the availability and ease of access to firearms' in the US as a manhunt was underway for the gunmen involved in Saturday's vile attack.
Kenney, like many of his fellow Democrats, has long called for stricter gun laws and stronger measures to curb gun violence.
'Until we address the availability and ease of access to firearms, we will always be fighting an uphill battle. As Mayor, I will continue to fight to protect our communities and urge others to advocate for stronger laws that keep guns out of the hands of violent individuals,' the mayor said.
The crime wave, meanwhile, has spared no one - with one incident this past week claiming the life of a 14-year-old football player when he was heading home from a school scrimmage. Pictured are police at the suburban school on Tuesday
'The surge in gun violence that we've seen across the nation—and here in Philadelphia—makes me not just heartbroken, but angry. Our administration, in partnership with all of our local and federal law enforcement agencies, continues to work relentlessly to reduce violence and create safer communities.'
The day after signing the edict into effect, the shooting outside Roxborough High School took place.
The shooting transpired after a football scrimmage near Roxborough High School around 4:30 pm, lawmen said after cordoning off the area around the crime scene.
Investigators say the five Roxborough junior varsity players had been walking off
