The PHA's Questionnable War On Crime
Updated: Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010, 6:23 PM EDT
New statistics obtained by Fox 29 show a significant rise in crime over the past 10 years at public housing sites.
From 1998 – 2008, crime has climbed into the double-digits, while the size of the PHA police department has shrunk to just 31 officers. That police force used to employ 300 officers.
Crime stats provided by the PHA late today did now a 7% decline in crime from 2008 – 2009.
Most PHA complexes are now patrolled by Philadelphia police and 3 private security firms, some of which are politically connected. They get paid close to $4 million per year. Apparently, the PHA and Federal housing officials are looking to get out of the policing business.
Fox 29’s Dave Schratwieser spoke to State Representative Kenyatta Johnson about these crime statistics and the current state of affairs that seem to be in flux within the troubled PHA.