Monday, May 28, 2007

Death takes a Holiday

While I'm on a Philly roll (and I'm not talking cheesesteak), I thought I'd note this bit of news.

The media is always being criticized for not reporting "good news" -- well, the Inquirer is trying to do its part to change that. In Homicide takes a holiday in Phila., the paper observes:

It was a rare Friday night and Saturday night without any homicides in Philadelphia.

"There's no rhyme or reason. No way to predict when a murder is going to happen," said Homicide Lt. Mel Williams, agreeing that a hot Saturday and a Friday night without a homicide was uncommon.

No homicides had been reported as of 8:15 p.m. Sunday, either.

Earlier, a 16-year-old boy was killed in a barrage of gunfire in the 2300 block of Watkins Street in South Philadelphia shortly after 4 p.m. Friday.

As far as I can tell, the lull lasted through Sunday evening. Of course, while it may be welcome news, it's all relative. According to the statistics, A City's Deadly Toll:
Homicides reported by city police through 11:59 p.m. Saturday:

163

Total for the same period in 2006: 147

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