Philadelphia says no to defunding

[Dave Grubb]

This is the new budget which is expected to pass without resistance:

The proposal includes $150 million for public safety, and an additional $471 million in the capital budget. Among the expenditures:

$24 million for grants for community-based organizations’ victim advocate and anti-violence work
$3 million for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission
$45 million in capital funds for a new police forensics laboratory
$15 million for 200 new police cars, 75 of which will be unmarked
An amount to be determined to hire 400 more police officers, including about 100 community police officers
In her budget announcement, Parker emphasized police hiring, bringing two new police recruits to stand alongside her. “My One Philly Budget supports deploying more officers in the field — walking the beat, riding a bike, getting to know the people they are sworn to protect and serve — the core of our community policing model,” she said. She praised the police officers who worked in her Pennsylvania House district, upholding them as a model of policing that relies on trust. “They knew every store owner, every rec leader, every youth sports leader,” she said.

And meanwhile at the University of Pennsylvania (Ivy League) they defy the common image of out of control liberals:

University of Pennsylvania issues new protest rules, bans encampments on campus

Could the pendulum have swung too far?

[Truckman]

An emerging spark of sense above the Mason/Dixon Line?...How can this be?......Ben

[Dave Grubb]

This is refreshing The last mayor (white male) was a waste of office space. He publicly admitted that he didn't like being mayor and would be glad to see his term come to an end

While we are an hour NW of the city we can't ignore it since that is were the TV news originates.

[Sandman]

Former Police Commissioner Ramsey did a lot to improve the Philadelphia Police Department.. He was also a great chief at Metropolitan Police Department (DC)..

[Dave Grubb]

I was not home for most of his time in office but my impression is that you are correct. However, he was replaced by Danielle Outlaw (I did not make that up!), who I think allowed much of his progress to slip away.