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Mayoral Candidates on Crime

Michael Nutter: "There are a number of things [to do]. Targeted enforcement zones in the 12 areas of the city with the highest levels of violence. Stop, question and frisk to take illegal weapons away from people citywide. Focus on repeat offenders and those who have violated probation and parole. . .. Boston has lowered crime. New York City dropped its homicide rate by 75 percent over the past 10 years. I refuse to believe that Philadelphia is so unique that things that have worked elsewhere won't work here."

Michael Nutter: "There are a number of things [to do]. Targeted enforcement zones in the 12 areas of the city with the highest levels of violence. Stop, question and frisk to take illegal weapons away from people citywide. Focus on repeat offenders and those who have violated probation and parole. . .. Boston has lowered crime. New York City dropped its homicide rate by 75 percent over the past 10 years. I refuse to believe that Philadelphia is so unique that things that have worked elsewhere won't work here."

Dwight Evans: "As usual, we are reacting to the environment." But we have to lead, he said, with: "Better law enforcement. An effective justice system. Quality education. Economic opportunity. I call that the table. If one particular leg is weak, it won't be stable. . . . This has to be an intensified effort with all those things coming together."

Chaka Fattah: "We're going to give them a carrot and a stick," Fattah said in a YouTube clip about his crime plan. "We'll give them a reason to stop and if that won't work, we're going to have to do it the hard way. We've got to give hope and opportunity a chance. But some of them might be too hard-headed to listen. So we also have to be prepared for that, too."

Tom Knox: " 'Stopping the violence' is a catchy phrase. But what does it mean and what can we do? I envision a long-term and multifaceted approach," Knox declares on his campaign Web site. "First, we need to give our Police Department the tools they need to get a tough job done. We have to enforce existing laws and demand tough prosecution. Better coordination of existing agencies and resources. . . . Community involvement is key. Finally, we must revitalize education and encourage new economic opportunities. . .."

Bob Brady: Brady's plan, said his spokesman Ken Snyder, will "put more police, truancy and parole officers on the street. We can't fight crime with force alone, so it's going to require creating economic opportunities and working with our communities of faith. . . . About 1,800 people are released from prisons every day in Pennsylvania. You can't just let them return to the community without programs and, in some cases, rehabilitation."

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