STILLBlog

The widows of Chuck Cassidy and Gary Skerski were scheduled to address the strain of being a cop’s wife in Philadelphia; they were supposed to do this in contract hearings with the Fraternal Order of Police. Only they never had the chance; something more important came up.

The death of another officer. Sgt. Stephen Liczbinski.

Next week, in Washington, D.C., during a candlelight vigil, the names of 385 fallen officers from around the country will be dedicated on a new memorial. While Harrisburg, PA, just held a memorial service for slain Pennsylvanian police. There wasn’t enough time to add Liczbinski’s name to these lists. I think that’s called irony in some circles.

Liczbinski was shot five times with a Chinese-made SKS assault rifle. Who needs a SKS assault rifle here in Philly? Apparently, a lot of people. Like the guy who shot Liczbinski (yes, I know his name, and no, he doesn’t deserve to have me write it.) The NRA has argued strenuously, persistently, that this rifle and many others like it are a God-given right to the citizenry. That it’s part and parcel of being American.

Michael Nutter, recently elected as Mayor in the City of the Brotherly Shove, won in part because of his plan to have police conduct random stop-and-searches. He’s right. Critics have weighed in – strenuously, persistently – that this is a violation of civil rights, and that doing so would be no better than Bush and Cheny taking over America with their draconian vision of security.

But Bush and Cheny are acting on perceived threats. There’s nothing “perceived” about the Homicide capital of the World: Philadelphia has had more than 300 homicides each year since 2000. There were 392 homicides and 1,734 shootings in 2007, and we’re already averaging more than 1 per day this year. But wait! There’s good news! There were 406 in 2006, so we’re getting more peaceful (there, don’t you feel better?)

Obama and Clinton have both come out in support of banning assault weapons, while McCain is opposed. Neither Clinton nor Obama decried the culture of gun violence on Philadelphia streets when they are asked about in the recent Philly debate, and instead acted on their political instincts to appease gun owners. And the NRA has seized on the issue as an opportunity for political grandstanding – loudly arguing the merits of assault rifles while another funeral plays out. Governor Ed Rendell is Democrat, and the PA legislature is split. And Mayor Nutter is taking them all on.

Stephen Liczbinski left behind a wife and three kids, and would have turned 40 this week. I am a teacher, and I used to teach at a GED school in North Philly. Classes were crowded, and over 80% of students once admitted to carrying weapons and knifes to class. Some of them were peace-loving by nature, yet afraid of what others may do to them. This is a very real problem that calls for very real, drastic measures. I’m telling you… you walk into a McDonald’s here, people are packing.

The time for politics and statements. and appeasing the politically and culturally sensitive is long gone. The only appeasing to be done should be to the people who are left behind, and all those people on the streets who fear for their safety because they, too, could be murdered. The only appeasing to be done is to all of us, so we can stop this culture of violence. That takes action on everybody’s part. Politicians love to talk…

But it’s time to act.