Crime in Philadelphia is something residents tolerate on a daily basis. Family members, friends and loved ones fear for their lives not knowing when their life or someone they care about is going to be taken from this earth.
With 2019 coming to an end, a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article stated, “The number of people killed in Philadelphia this last year was more than 40% higher than in 2013 when 246 were slain.” With this number being so high and almost half the amount in 2013, civilians are starting to question if their safety is in the right hands.
A senior black studies major and former Cabrini men’s basketball player Anthony Wright-Downing has someone else to protect going forward in life.
“People don’t understand how bad it is until they live through it each day. Those stats are just numbers. It’s much worse than you think.”
“My daughter is my world and Philly is my home, so if this is what I have to deal with to protect my daughter then so be it.”
Photo Credits- Anthony Wright-Downing
Wright-Downing speaks for many parents have that fear of the worst happening to their kid. Out of that 40 percent increase, more than 100 were children. With all these children being killed, residents of Philadelphia question who is in charge of their safety? Some feel like they are out there by themselves.
Shane Sellers, a junior sociology major, explains his struggles of being a commuter from Philly.
“I have to wake up earlier than most and get home later than most. Philly is my home, but I’m not a street type of guy. I was one of the few friends to go to college and the only friend to go to a four-year university. So, it’s tough, but I want to get out of this lifestyle.”
“In the early mornings, nobody is up. It’s when I get home when I have to watch my surroundings. Dogs, human chatter, and sometimes gunshots. Certain areas you don’t know if it’s a gunshot or firework, but around my way, it’s always a gunshot.”
North, West, East and South Philadelphia residents claim their homes by compass directions. Certain areas are worse than others, but overall it’s Philly. This place is their home and they just want to feel safe where they lay their head at night.
With 2020 still being a new year, the people of Philadelphia fear this number will increase as the year continues to pass by.
Teron (Ron) Mack, father of Cabrini men’s basketball player Voshon Mack, owns a barbershop in the inner city and explains the struggles of doing so.
“I was not aware of this number. Myself and my family live in New Jersey, but I own a shop in Philly. Sometimes when I close shop it’s dark out with no other cars around. It’s a must to carry protection with you at all times because you never know what can happen. Some gang bangers stalk your shop out and wait for you to leave to rob and possibly kill you. I can’t and won’t let that happen to me.”
Shop owners, commuters and parents, all have the same mindset about their home. They understand it’s dangerous, but each individual who lives there has invested so much time and energy into calling this place their home, that they are willing to take that risk. A change is something everyone agrees on, but as of now, they must keep pushing and just pray that their loved ones stay safe.
