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Democratic mayoral candidate Tom Knox says he will make fighting crime his top priority as mayor.
His plan is called "Stopping the Violence."
It includes short-term solutions such as hiring 1,000 new police officers, installing high-resolution security cameras in crime hot spots and lobbying for tougher illegal gun legislation at the state level. It also calls for creating a Mayor’s Office of Public Safety to coordinate the resources of the police department and the offices of the district attorney, U.S. Attorney, FBI, Drug Enforcement Agency and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Long-term, Knox wants to establish programs to deter offenders from engaging in more criminal activity. And, he intends to increase career training and education in the public schools.
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Another Democratic candidate for mayor, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, accepted the endorsement of some black ministers and called for a cabinet-level office to coordinate faith-based initiatives to tackle challenges such as crime, education, social services and neighborhood improvements.
In his first year in office, Brady would fund programs that deter ex-offenders from returning to a life of crime and mentor children of incarcerated parents.
"I will go to Washington, Harrisburg and into City Council myself to find the resources to fund our faith-based initiatives," he said. "I will do this because I know that our investment pales in comparison to the cost of fear on our streets."
Meanwhile, Brady campaigned at several Northeast eateries on Saturday. He made stops at Tony’s Place, the Red Robin, Mayfair Diner, Dining Car and Tiffany Diner. He was accompanied by City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski and former City Controller Jonathan Saidel.
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State Rep. Dwight Evans, who is also seeking the Democratic mayoral nod, released a plan called "Greener Philadelphia — Block by Block."
Highlights of the proposal include creating a summer employment and training program that will have youth plant flowers and trees; planting 50,000 trees in the next four years; creating a dedicated revenue stream for Fairmount Park and opening up the appointment process to the Fairmount Park Commission; and expanding recycling.
"If we don’t respect the city around us, others are less likely to respect it as well," Evans said.
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U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, also in the running for the Democratic mayoral nomination, is proposing leasing Philadelphia International Airport to a private operator.
The candidate would use the proceeds to create a network of early child care and education centers.
"Pre-K education is the key to long-term education success," he said. "If we invest in our children early, we can all reap the benefits."
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Another Democratic mayoral candidate, Michael Nutter, has promised to challenge the candidacy of Milton Street if he files to run for the job.
A former state lawmaker and older brother of Mayor John Street, he claims to live on the 1700 block of Anchor St. in Wissinoming. To run, the Home Rule Charter states that a candidate must have lived in the city for the last three years.
In 2006, a judge prohibited Street from running for the state legislature because he could not prove he lived in Philadelphia. He has acknowledged staying at a friend’s home in Moorestown, N.J.
"This campaign needs to be about the issues and not a sideshow with someone who does not even live in the state of Pennsylvania," Nutter said.
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Nutter and Evans criticized much of Street’s Feb. 22 budget address, while Fattah generally offered praise.
Nutter wanted to hear Mayor Street talk more about improving the police department, fixing the costly pension fund and adding after-school programs.
As mayor, he would increase revenue by expanding recycling and looking at ways to earn money in Fairmount Park. He’d also rein in spending.
"For too long, Mayor Street has allowed city government to become bloated and wasteful," he said. "Every department in this government has the ability to become more efficient and to cut costs."
Evans is concerned about proposed funding cuts to Community College of Philadelphia. He thinks his background on the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee will help him manage and balance the city budget.
Fattah supports the mayor’s proposals to hire more police officers, open 11 more curfew centers and invest $65 million in commercial corridors.
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Congress isn’t the only legislative body weighing in on the war in Iraq with a non-binding proposal.
City Council last week passed a measure placing a question on the primary ballot asking residents about the future of troops in Iraq.
All 14 Democrats voted to place the question on the ballot. The three Republicans were opposed.
The question, which was introduced by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, will read: "Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to state the citizens’ views regarding the mission served by U.S. troops in Iraq and that the citizens of Philadelphia urge the United States to make year 2007 the time to redeploy U.S. troops out of harm’s way in Iraq?" ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com