While the country's attention has been on Chicago's problem with gun violence, another U.S. city has been discretely following the Windy City's lead. Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, has recorded 96 murders so far this year -- just one shy of Chicago's three-month total of 97, police records reveal. The startling number represents a 9 percent increase over the first three months of 2021, statistics reveal. It also follows a trend that's seen Philly's number of homicides rise every year, going from 356 in 2019, to 499 in 2020 and 562 in 2021, according to stats. At least one former police official blames the spike in homicides on a lack of repercussions for violations. "There’s no fear of being caught carrying a gun illegally in the city of Philadelphia," says Joe Sullivan, a retired Philadelphia police deputy commissioner. "It’s the job of the police and the district attorney to create that perception of fear among bad guys that if you get caught with a gun, there will be swift and certain consequences."
Listen to the RIse'n'Grind Morning Show each weekday from 6a-10a on Power 99!Full Bio