John Taggart / Times Photo
In Frankford on Monday, Shirletta Kirkaldy and her granddaughters (from left) Amirah, 7; Manaia, 6; and Malaysia
were enjoying themselves at a breakfast in honor slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (click photo for story)
COVER STORY:
Elder justice for all
More than 6,000 crimes are committed against Philadelphia’s elderly each year.
And many of those crimes are the work of crooks who prey on the vulnerability of senior citizens. The offenses run the gamut — elder abuse, frauds and scams, even violent crimes.
Regardless of the offense, victims often are relieved when an arrest is made, thinking that their ordeal is over. Not so.
"It’s a devastating blow. They’ve led a blameless life and here they are in a real courtroom, in front of a real judge, a victim. It’s a confusing, frightening process," said District Attorney Lynne Abraham, whose office has operated a 5-year-old program that helps to defuse the fear of elder crime victims.
Read the full story . . .
EDITORIAL:
Rendell for mayor
Just a few days ago, Philadelphia marked the 10th anniversary of the Blizzard of ’96, when 30.7 inches of snow paralyzed us. Many Northeast residents were trapped in their homes for days, victims of the city’s non-existent snowplow effort.
It was not Ed Rendell’s finest hour, for sure, but it was the only major blemish on his terrific record as America’s Mayor.
Therefore, gentle voters of the Keystone State, we hereby give Mr. Rendell some food for thought. We urge him to drop his bid for a second term as governor this year and focus instead on . . .
Read the entire editorial...
Read Letters to the Editor...