This thread is fascinating. I think it represents our collective misunderstanding about our violent crime epidemic.

The theory that almost all violent crime is related to drug dealing is not accurate. If folks have paid attention to the crime in Philadelphia recently, it has very little to do with drugs and a lot more to do with pride, easy access to guns and a general urban condition that has created intense frustration in our poorest neighborhoods.

Prison recidivism is high, many folks in these neighborhoods have been to prison and back -- and bring the "respect" contests that are prevalent in prison back to the streets. So talking about someone behind their back, looking at them the wrong way, dating someone's ex, etc. is now elevated to a higher level of seriousness. This has been going on for some time in Philadelphia and all of our urban centers, but the easy access to guns along with a continuing lack of jobs and good, accessible education means we will continue to have problems with violent and murderous crime.

It is rare, but every few months or so, there is a story about someone getting hit by a stray bullet. I am really appalled by the lack of care or concern shown on phillblog for the folks who live in our poor neighborhoods. Obviously, there is not a lot of representation on this board from those neighborhoods, but 'stay out of this neighborhood' is no cure, it's an act of class supremacy.

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