Make sure violent crime is prosecuted

For cities like Philadelphia, gun crime remains a problem. But laws already on the books give police, prosecutors and courts the tools they need to deal with the problem.

In cities like Philadelphia police do the hard work of arresting and charging suspects. But prosecutors often forgo pursuing gun charges, and judges often hand down lenient sentences. Too few gun criminals face serious consequences for crimes short of murder.

In order to make the right decisions about crime and guns, the public and policymakers need the most complete possible information. For that reason the Lang Plan for Safe Streets calls for prosecutors to report each month how many charges they pursue or waive for individuals whom police have charged with gun crimes three or more times.

The plan would also require prosecutors to report on the disposition of cases assigned to special courts designed to handle gun cases, such as Philadelphia’s Gun Court. Determining whether such courts are – or can be – an effective tool to make street safer is another area where policymakers and the public need accurate information.

The Lang Plan for Safe Streets would also expand the ability of local law enforcement to work with federal prosecutors to ensure gun criminals spend a long time behind bars in federal penitentiaries.