Crime in Philadelphia

Philadelphia
Crime rates (2007)
Crime type	Rate*
Homicide:	27
Forcible rape:	66
Robbery:	714
Aggravated assault:	666
Violent crime:	1,475
Burglary:	802
Larceny-theft:	2,728
Motor vehicle theft:	773
Property crime:	4,304
Notes * Number of reported crimes per 100,000 population.
Source: Crime Rates in Pennsylvania

Some aspects of crime in Philadelphia have achieved national and even international attention.^[1] Charles Ramsey, the police commissioner, has stated his goal to reduce the number of homicides by 100 per year.^[2]

The legal entities responsible for maintaining law and order are:

The Philadelphia Police Department is the police department. The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County (1st Judicial Circuit) is the state trial court. The Philadelphia District Attorney is the district attorney. The Defender Association of Philadelphia is the government-funded independent public defender office.

Notable cases and incidents

• Philadelphia Poison Ring (1938) - At least 70 people poisoned with arsenic, several by their wives.
• Marie Noe (1949–1968) - Murdered eight of her children.
• Boy in the Box (1957) - Unidentified five year-old boy found dead in a cardboard box.
• Ira Einhorn, "The Unicorn Killer" (1977) - Popular figure killed his girlfriend and hid her body in his closet.
• Mumia Abu-Jamal (1981) - Convicted for the murder of PPD officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981.
• MOVE (1978,1985) - Clashed with the PPD.
• Frankford Slasher (1985–1990) - Thought to have killed several women.
• Gary M. Heidnik (1986–1987) - Kidnapped, imprisoned, raped, and tortured six women, two of whom he murdered.
• Harrison Graham (1986–1987) - Killed seven women, deemed incompetent to be executed.
• Raymond Carter (convict) (1988) - Convicted of killing Robert "Puppet" Harris; verdict overturned in 1996 due to likelihood of false testimony.
• 39th District corruption scandal (1990s) - Led to overturn of 160-300 cases and release of 100 persons.
• Kidnapping and murder of Iriana DeJesus (2000) - Alexis Flores, suspect of the case, was added to FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2007.
• City Hall corruption scandal (2003-5) - mayor's office bugged by FBI, several convictions resulting.^[3]
• Fairmount Park Rapist. (2003–2007) Not caught.
• Philadelphia basement kidnapping event, October 2011, an ongoing investigation into alleged kidnapping of four mentally disabled adults, who were held in a Northeastern Philadelphia basement.

Riots

• Philadelphia Election Riot (1742)
• Lombard Street Riot (1842) - Three day race riot.
• Philadelphia Nativist Riots (1844)
• Philadelphia 1964 race riot (1964)

Organized crime

• Scarfo crime family - An Italian group based in Northeast and South Philadelphia as well as major cities in New Jersey such as Atlantic City and Newark, largest organized crime unit in the area as far as "rackets" are concerned. Considered the most violent branch in the American Mafia.
• Jewish Mafia - See Nig Rosen
• Irish Mob - K&A Gang
• Greek Mob
• Russian Mob
• Kielbasa Posse - A Polish group based in Port Richmond, Philly.
• Jamaican Posse
• Black Mafia, Junior Black Mafia - An African-American group based in West Philadelphia
• Latin Kings - Hispanic gang originating in Chicago
• Warlocks Motorcycle Club - A Motorcycle Club involved in drug dealing
• Pagans MC - A Motorcycle Club involved in drug dealing
• Sex Money Murda

See also

• Crime in the United States
• H. H. Holmes - Early American serial killer, brought to justice by a Philadelphia detective.
• Vidocq Society - Local crime-solving club

References

• Crime statistics from the Philadelphia Police Department.
• Down With Crime a project of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

1. ^ Philadelphia sees murder rate of 1 per day
2. ^ Ramsey’s goal: 100 fewer murders a year
3. ^ U.S. Bug in Mayor's Office Roils Philadelphia Race