The Larry Kane Report

No one ever accused Philadelphia DA Lynne Abraham of being meek. No one ever accused Mayor John Street of being weak, until Lynne Abraham took a giant swipe at him this past Friday. Abraham’s courageous attack on the Mayor’s performance on the crime issue facing the city is so much more imcredible because it is true, and no one has had the guts to say it.

Leadership on issues such as violent crime comes from the top. Although earnest in his motives, I presume, the Mayor has not shown the passion he needs to show in mobilizing the city and its citizens to stop crime. It is politically expedient to do so, but that hasn’t even roused the Mayor. Here is the bottom line: thousands of people in Philadelphia live in fear of their lives every day. This is no way to live in America. All the sparkle of a beautiful Center City will never erase that fear until the city’s leader declares war on crime.

The Mayor’s office responded to Abraham’s remarks by citing that the Mayor did attend a city summit on crime, along with the District Attorney.

You should note that the Mayor is trying again to cut the DA’s budget. So that may have sparked the outrage. But when a savvy DA like Abraham takes the Mayor to task for not acting like a Mayor, we all must pay attention.

The Mayor has a year and a few days left in office. What a fantastic legacy it would be to start the ball rolling on a comprehensive plan to make life safer for the people of the neighborhoods.

I’ve been following this crime issue carefully. I see a troubling pattern. Violent crime is now evident in all areas. The stats show that its spreading to the suburbs.

The Mayoral candidates are trying to sieze on initiatives to fight the war on the streets. Community activists are at the forefont. The Mayor should take the lead quickly on the most pressing problem facing Philadelphia.