Mayor Nutter formally announced this afternoon that the city will make up to $20,000 in reward money available in all future homicide cases, and described the strategy as "a game-changer."
"To every criminal out there: I just put a $20,000 bounty on your head," Nutter said, flanked by city officials and speaking from a news conference at Strawberry Mansion High School in North Philadelphia. "We are coming for you. We will find you. People will give up that information."
As reported in today's Inquirer, the city also will offer $500 to anyone who can tell police the location of an illegal gun.
Nutter also announced that the city will double the funding provided to the witness assistance program. He cited the killing of Kensington bodega clerk Rosemary Fernandez-Rivera, a potential witness in a murder case who was executed by a gunman who walked into her store this week.
"We must do a better job protecting citizens against those thugs out there that subvert our criminal justice sytem, subvert public safety and continue to propagate that hateful 'don't snitch' mentality," Nutter said.
Nutter and District Attorney Seth Williams said also that they will push for stronger sentences for those arrested on weapons charges.
Seems like a good strategy. Go Nutter!— Eman84
Comment removed.- I like this idea. It's sad, however, that some people need reward money to do the right thing.— wokmaster
- let s see how many come forward— hardball
- I had to movde out of Philly about 7 years ago because my neighborhood got so bad-It has gotten 10000x's worse since then-I really hope something works for Philadelphia-he is doing the best he can-I think he is a good guy!— AUNTJOJOXO
- Why were'nt we prosecuting people caught with illegal guns to the fullest extent of the law already, thousands of murders later our mayor and DA are a little late. The sentences that violent people get in this city are ridiculous if you are caught with an illegal gun 10 yrs mandatory for the first offense, 2nd illegal gun gets you a life sentence.— Black Label Society
- This is great but where is the money coming from? Did anyone bother to ask?— philaresident
- Does it matter/ I would certainly pay more in taxes to make th ecity safer overall. Just because we live in Center City doesn't lesson our obligations to the city as a whole... — willbarnett
- No one is stopping you from paying MORE taxes, please do so one your own on your own volition. Don't make others who cannot pay pay more. I seem to recall you posting before you lived in Cwood NJ? — uandwhosearmy
- Yes, it actually really does matter. They have been claiming they dont have money to pay for city workers and their jobs and other projects. Borrowig more money is never a good thing when there is no real revenue. People are already sturggling, so it is a really good question, please dont be smug about a person concerned about where the money is coming from... — uandwhosearmy
- Great question. What about city workers and school districts? If they have all that money lying around maybe they should offer the schools monetary incentive for every child that graduates, and then even more for every child that pursues higher education? — Benilefou
- Comment removed.
- I agree with the commenter above about where this money will be coming from, but I certainly do not agree with where he thinks it will be spent! As long as it helps to end the 'stop snitchin' attitude that prevails in this city, and takes violent criminals and illegal guns off the streets, I will put forth the contribution that I am asked to.— ThisKidsAlright
- Let's not applaud the good Mayor yet. Homeowners just received a 9.99% hike in property taxes because the city/School District has no money. Wage taxes are not coming in because the city has lost so many jobs. Who's paying for this??? Heck, at 500.00 a pop for telling the location of illegal guns, folks will be getting paid hand-over-fist. It is shameful that the law abiding folks are going to get taxed up the wazoo to pay for this program. He needs to explain where the money is coming from before I give him an Atta-boy.— PATTIKAKES50
- I am perfectly willing as a city homeowner to pay more in taxes to make this a better city. We pay and get nothing at the state level, if paying a bit more in taxes continues the improvement and return of the city, bring it on... — willbarnett
Allison Steele was born and raised in Philadelphia. After attending New York University she worked at newspapers in New Hampshire and New Jersey, covering everything from Boston Red Sox fans to the presidential primary, before joining the staff of the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2008. She has covered crime and the Philadelphia Police Department since 2009. E-mail Allison here.
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