philly

I caught it at 7.05p and it went through 7.09p. That was about as dry and wooden as a person could be without spontaneously combusting John Kerry style.

***UPDATE
The text of the speech can be found via .pdf here and the video is available in the KYW library here. I'm reprinting the plain text of the speech in the extended entry.

Good evening. Philadelphia is our home and it's one of the great cities in America. Our neighborhoods are thriving, our schools are improving and the fiscal health of our city is strong. The city is clean, safe and appealing to our visitors, tourists and those who come here to work everyday. We are frequently called "America's Next Great City" and we proudly accept the recognition and the challenge that comes with it.

However, just as we are concerned about those who visit and work in our city, we are equally concerned about the families who call Philadelphia home and our neighbors in the region who enjoy the amenities Philadelphia has to offer and who we consider to be a part of the extended Philadelphia family.

Therefore, the recent increase in gun violence, which has plagued our city, has our attention as a matter of priority. But as we confront this issue you should know that the homicide rate in our city over the last six years remains significantly lower than it was during entire decade of the 1990's.

My Administration has made public safety its number one priority and we have fought crime successfully. Major crime is down by approximately 16%. That success should give our citizens, the confidence that we can and will manage the current spike in gun violence. Our success results directly from the unprecedented resources this government continues to invest in public safety and the courageous efforts of many public and private people, especially the men and women who honor us with their service as police officers in our city. These are the people who relentlessly implemented Operation Safe Streets to rid our city of more than 300 open air drug markets and who are now fully engaged in Operation Safer Streets, the city's plan to reduce the current intolerable increase in the number of homicides and shootings that are taking place.

Let me describe just a few of the many things we are doing. The Police Department has increased overtime expenditures and the number of police officers in uniform, so there is a more visible police presence on the streets. A new unit of 46 police officers has been deployed to work nights and weekends in those areas where gun violence has been most prevalent. We will begin installing surveillance cameras in designated communities to serve as a strong preventive measure against crime. We regularly communicate with Mayors and Police Chiefs in other cities, to ensure that we are using the most successful deployment tactics in the nation.

Thanks to City Council and Governor Rendell, the city will hire a total of 200 new police officers. Through our Youth and Adolescent Violence Reduction Partnerships, we are increasing social services to thousands of young people between the ages of 10 and 25 who are most likely to commit or become victims of violence. Social Services programs like these are an important part of our overall strategy because violence is not just a police matter.

These law enforcement and social service resources are being strategically targeted to those communities where recent violence has been most severe. When combined with the increased enforcement of curfew laws, which keep young people off the streets, these efforts are going to better protect our communities and families from the pain, trauma and havoc wreaked by senseless violence. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to fight crime. But the village can never be a substitute for responsible parents. Our new curfew center goes into service tonight.

Just like every major city in America, guns remain at the core of ourviolence problem. Thirty housand Americans die every year as a result of gun violence. But unlike most cities, Philadelphia has no local authority to police guns and our General Assembly refuses to act in a responsible way.

So tonight I ask people from our entire region to call your State representative and senator and urge them to support the Governor and Philadelphia in our attempts to get reporting requirements for lost or stolen guns. Gun purchase limitations to one a month; a trigger lock requirement; and, increased penalties for illegal possession of weapons. This can help.

Let me take a moment to personally appeal to our young people. Please take a deep breath before resorting to the use of guns to settle minor conflicts or perceived personal snubs which are inevitable. That momentary loss of control or need to demand respect might not only snuff the life out of your victim but could also destroy your life's chances and subject two families to untold pain and suffering. There really are better ways to resolve these disputes. For starters, avoid at all cost the possession of a lethal weapon, the use of which will likely ruin your life. You are the future of this city. Lay your weapons down ­ now. Choose education over violence. Take to heart the message of hope that Will Smith, Bernard Hopkins and others brought to our city just last weekend. You will never regret it if you do, and you might not survive if you don't.

So to sustain Philadelphia's place among the great cities in the world, every citizen must commit to a higher level of civility. We must lead by example. Responsible citizen participation will lead to success. Tonight we begin a public information campaign on TV and radio that urges everyone to get involved by joining a Town Watch, becoming a block captain, supporting anti-violence or other services sponsored by your church, synagogue, mosque or local community organization.

Winning the war against violence will also require the courage and civic pride to report illegal activity of all kinds. We must stand up against the misguided few who discourage cooperation with the Police Department and other law enforcement authorities. Stand up for your city and your neighborhood – this is our house.

In September of 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered a eulogy for three little girls who lost their lives in a senseless act of violence in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. King said each of their deaths had something to say. Today, each man, woman and child who has lost a life to a senseless act of violence must be a source of inspiration to us all.

To every minister and faith-based leader who is struggling to provide help in communities ravaged by federal funding cuts these lives most motivate you to keep up the good work building community service and outreach programs.

To every elected official these precious lost lives must demand commonsense gun legislation that takes guns out of the hands of criminals, protect our police and the next potential victim.

To our judges these lost lives should be a constant reminder that the criminal justice system should be more vigilant to ensure that repeat offenders do not land back on the streets to do other crimes against decent, hardworking people in our community.

We all love our city. Together we will prevail in this fight against gun violence. This is our house. It must be respected. It will be protected; we will ensure the safety of every neighborhood, every family and every child.

Thank you and good night.

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