Philadelphia DA Krasner Says City Doesn’t Have A Crisis of Crime Despite Record Homicides

Larry Krasner, Philadelphia District Attorney, said that the city is not in crisis despite record-breaking homicides in 2021. Krasner said that although there has been an increase in gun violence in the city, it is not a sign of rising crime.

At a recent press conference, the district attorney stated that there is no crisis of lawlessness. He also said that there was no crisis in crime or violence. He said it’s crucial that this doesn’t become mushy or bleed into the idea that there’s a big spike in crime. It isn’t. There has not been a significant increase in crime, but there isn’t a large spike in violent crime. However, both of these statements are false.

Krasner stated that while gun violence has increased, other indicators which “usually go up and down with it” are “relatively flat”.

Philadelphia Police Department reported 521 homicides in 2021. This is 13% more than 2020, and the highest number of murders in Philadelphia since at least 2007. The number of shooting victims has increased by 3% and shooting incidents have increased by 4.4% in the past year.

The rate of total violent crimes in the city is down by about 3% annually. Armed robberies have increased 27% from 2020 and are the only other violent crime that has increased in 2021. Since last year, rape, unarmed thefts, and aggravated assaults are down. Property crime has increased by 5% over the past year.

Krasner stated that there is no crisis of violence in the city. He also said that anyone coming to the city should not be worried about violent crime.