Perspective : Law and Disorder in Philadelphia

BBC attempts to understand the high crime rate in Philadelphia.

In 2010 the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) released a documentary that searched for answers to the high crime rate in Philadelphia.  Reporters took a tour of the North Philadelphia section of the city with Police officers from the 24th precent to try to gain insight on what could be causing such a high crime/murder rate that the city is notorious for.

The documentary features officers from different divisions including beat cops, under covers, and special units designated specifically to the elimination of drug and violent criminal activity.  Law enforcement agents attempt to show the obstacles in place as they make little to no progress in "cleaning up the streets".  They also shed light onto some of the reasons why the streets have become so riddled with crime.

But there's two sides to every story and this documentary makes an effort in showing that.  You hear from the dealers, dope heads, and "victims".  I use quotations when I say victims because although the police are trying to do their job of keeping the streets safe, they use a controversial tactic known as "Stop and Frisk", an article of legislation that was passed after Mayor Michael Nutter took office in 2008.  The law gives the police the right to stop and search anybody even if there's no suspicion to do so.

As interesting as this documentary is, it's also sad too seeing the oppression that people live in along with a cultural train of thought doesn't seem to be changing anytime soon.  One of the major themes that echo in this documentary is the "Stop Snitching" state of mind that cripples the communities they plague in more ways than one.