Philadelphia Murders as of August 15th 2007
August of 2006 saw 27 murders which is, historically, actually pretty low. So far this August we’ve had 11 murders (compared with 10 in 2006). These horrifying stories notwithstanding, it still looks like the jump in the murder rate for the year was confined to the first three months of 2007 when there were 20 more murders than during the same period of time in 2006. If we were to start the year in April and compare 2006 and 2007, murders are down by almost 5%.
Momish said,
August 16, 2007 @ 11:54 am
I just read the news report. So much for brightening my day. This city has always been dangerous (as with any city), but lately I am just terrified of the just how much. Maybe it has to do with becoming a mother and reading about kids being shot left and right. Or, reading about kids with guns out murdering other kids. I shudder.
Snowflakes in Hell » Blog Archive » Philadelphia’s murder rate … said,
August 17, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
[...] seems to be leveling off. It’s been a hot month so far. Maybe it’s just to hot to be hanging out on the [...]
Mark said,
August 18, 2007 @ 9:17 pm
Looking at your chart…. i think your differences are incorrect.
Please double check your math at the bottom of coulmn 4.
if 2006 had 244 murders to date and 2007 had 256, that would be a PLUS 12 or 4.9% Increase, right?
Gun control is really woprking pretty swell in Philly, isn’t it?
Guess maybe armed victims might be a better deterrant that current practices……
andrew said,
August 18, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
Take another look at what I’m saying. The (-) on -12 may be a little misleading, but you’re right, I’m saying there’s a 4.9% increase in murders over the previous year, for the year thus far. The numbers at the very bottom are the murders between April 1st and August 15th for 2006 and 2007. For that period of time, there has been a 4.9% *decrease* in 2007 over 2006. I’m arguing that most of the increase for this year is confined to the first quarter. Subsequently something has changed…
I’m not sure what you mean by gun control working in Philly. The conflict between Philly and the state legislature is focused on the fact that Philly can’t enact its own gun control regulations. So there’s no greater gun control in Philly than there is anywhere in Pennsylvania, at least as I understand it. One of the main concerns in Philadelphia are the so-called straw purchasers. A straw purchase essentially marks that moment where a gun goes from being legal to illegal, when someone who has the right to buy a gun does so on behalf of someone who does not. This seems to be a lively business, with people buying multiple guns and reselling them on the black market. One of the gun control measures that many folks around here would like to see passed is limiting handgun purchase to one a month. I’m curious, would you oppose such a measure, and on what grounds?
eR0CK said,
August 20, 2007 @ 10:42 am
There are some gun laws in Philadelphia that do not apply to PA as a whole … I couldn’t seem to find which ones, but there are a few.
One handgun a month is fine with me, but what really would help is increasing the police staff and dedicate more resources to prosecuting those that engage in straw purchases and also generally increase (I currently see VERY few) the police presence.
andrew said,
August 20, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
I couldn’t find references to any “Philly only” gun laws either, but it’s possible there are some. If you find any, please let me know.