There were armed guards on 9th Street, hired by Italian Market merchants. A shotgun-carrying private security guard forced several youths to their bellies outside a big box store they had robbed. The owner of South Philly’s Firing Line shot and killed one of a group of intruders trying to ransack his gun shop.
At 17th & Packer, a handful of men with rifles posed for a picture outside the closed Philadium, a popular dive bar. Also in South Philly, a large group took up positions outside the Target near Front & Snyder, guarding it from intruders.
In the Far Northeast, at the Morrell Park Plaza, I’m told the town watch put people in front of the Shop Rite, which had been looted the night before. Others reportedly protected the Academy Plaza all night.
In Fishtown, a group of club and bat-carrying men, mostly white, lined up across from a group of mostly white young protestors who hadn’t caused any trouble, yet. Cops got between the two groups, each of which accused the other of fomenting trouble.
KYWNewsRadio interviewed a West Philly woman who said local teens tried to break into her home.
Gun sales are zooming because of the actual looting of stores, plus rumors that anarchists or other criminals would begin breaking into homes next. There seems to be some basis for that fear.
Why are ordinary citizens arming up?
Because they feel abandoned by the leaders who were elected to protect them. The first order of government is to protect citizens, then to maintain order.
In West Philadelphia, “We’re watching what we put together fall apart in a matter of minutes. We need some security now on this land. Now, not tomorrow, not later,” West Philadelphian Kim Fuller told Mayor Jim Kenney when he visited West Philly. She was quoted by 6ABC.
The commercial area around 52nd & Market, the heart of West Philly, had been plundered.
“I apologize for what happened yesterday,” the mayor said. “We just couldn’t, we didn’t know where to pull from without putting everybody else at risk, putting the officers at risk.”
The mayor’s hand wringing is pathetic. I’m sympathetic to the cops, but they take the job with the understanding they may be put in harm’s way. It’s why we call them the “finest,” some of us, anyway, and most of them deserve it.
Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw confessed her department had been outwitted by the looters and the department’s strategy “did not happen as quickly as I would’ve liked it to occur.”
I give Outlaw an A for honesty, but then switch to what I thought when she was hired. While nearly everyone was going gooney over her being Philly’s first black female police commissioner, I was wondering if she was up to the job. She came from Portland, which is one-third of Philly’s size.
For the few of you who go immediately to race, remember I’m criticizing the white, male mayor, too.
And I am wondering if the mayor and the police commissioner can’t give a blanket assurance that Philadelphians will be protected, why should they be surprised when some citizens start oiling their weapons.
Our genius mayor, with a gift for being on the wrong side, warned that he doesn’t want any “vigilante” actions. Self-protection is not “vigilante.”
The only bright spot in this whole mess has been that the hoodlums who mix themselves in with peaceful protestors have not yet attacked innocent civilians.
Who knows? That could be next.
BULLSEYE!
I am very proud of my neighbors and how they have protected all of the Northeast and specifically Parkwood.
Nailed it.
I want to say that right now I am extremely proud of the citizen security teams in South Philly, Fishtown, Northeast, who came together to protect us when the current leaders of the city failed.
Very tired of Daddy Kenny and his disappointment with us all.
I suppose he expects the tax paying citizens to go inside and hope they wake up in the morning to a home that has not been damaged, a vehicle that has not been destroyed so they can travel to their job in hopes that they still have somewhere to go to work and the supermarkets and businesses are still here.
What planet does he live on?
I actually feel bad for Outlaw, I was rooting for her, although I had the same concerns regarding her experience.
AMEN “DeFense” we Have Good People Helping our police and saving our Neighborhoods from being burned and looted America fighting back antiffa Terrorist That Been running havoc on our cities
Great story and right to the facts. I was in Fishtown that night and men were there to protect the police, the stores and the residents. It all started from chatter on social media from Antifa saying they were going to the 26th district and were going to take over Fishtown. So with what happened on Sunday and how the police were spread so thin the men of Fishtown decided not to live in fear but to take action. Most residents and police were happy to see these men and of course the media and social media news only interviewed people against. Not one person was interviewed that thought what the men did was admirable. Some stories said white supremacist some said a group of Italians. No checked any of the facts. There were men from 18-60 and also from many races. The mayor and police commissioner and non of the facts but berated these men on Tv, they should apologize to these men and thank them for helping out. As to the report of one assault it was two guys fighting over god knows what abut 4 blocks from were these men stood.
Thanks for reporting the truth about Monday night.
John, I am hearing from people who were there that the WHYY reporter that was hit was actually spitting in people’s faces as he and his girlfriend rode by on their bike.
Philadelphia, PA
Dear Stu,
A good deal of what is going on in the city is simply the work of common thieves. This is evident enough in the frequent bombings of ATMs. My neighbors tell me that the break-in at a local Burger King went straight for the firm’s safe and carried it off. I’ve seen long lines of people waiting to enter a local gun and amo shop. Yesterday I walked past an ATM which had been broken open and couldn’t help noticing two young women walking past who giggled at the sight. This disturbed me even more. Every business, even the smallest and most struggling seemed of late to be a target of opportunity. Yet we still see wide-spread sympathy for violence: “No justice no peace,” as the slogan goes.
In spite of daily protests, racism is not going away any time soon, and it is time for our peaceful demonstrators to recognize the fact that we must put the common safety of citizens before our desire to reform and correct our various and defective “habits of the heart.” Our politicians and demonstrators will not change anything by demanding perfection immediately. Justice is a slow process–within civilized life–, and it is our peaceful, civilized life in common which needs the most immediate attention.
Most of the rioters and looters are deterred by the least show of resistance. It makes perfect sense for citizens to protect themselves and their property –as we hope with the mildest effective means.
If the looters and bandits are allowed to continue the rampage, Philadelphia will be reduced to another Detroit or Camden. That would represent a very serious decline for the country. We can’t afford the loss of any more cities.
I think that would be an appropriate focus for the Mayor, the Governor, and our Presidential candidates. We have to ask, how has this morning dawned? Did the looting continue?
H.G. Callaway
I think Philly smelled the coffee and the idiot mayor called for the national guard and beefed up the cops. And the violence dissipated.
Stu it’s time people protect there on so if I’m a vigilante so be it. Why can’t we educate the people that there was help available but Kenny would not call for it the armed services were ready he was afraid it would make trump look good
Good article, Stu, as always.
Spot on. Unfortunately several people who are my friends are posting this photo more to provoke than anything else. Without the context, it is a pretty scary photo. And I’m tired of hearing the incompetent police commissioner call them vigilantes and suggesting that the looters don’t look like her. There’s the old adage, one man’s terrorist is another man’s freedom fighter. What’s good for the goose and all that.
Dear People of Philadelphia,
Elect a fool – you get a fool.
You got one.
Thank you for your unbiased coverage. These so called “protestors “ are criminals, plain and simple. They are also cowards and will not engage with people protecting themselves. These good citizens can act on our behalf. Our police department has been neutered by the mayor, commissioner and DA. The Police have been subjected to ridicule and harassment by these thugs and have not been permitted to do their jobs. Our leadership is anti police, anti law and order and that includes our new police commissioner. I have been wondering how we could correct this problem, perhaps the business owners and residents can bring a class action suit against the city hierarchy for their complete inability to protect our city.
Most of the protestors are fine, but there is an element among them that is criminal and must be stopped.
I refer to Kenny as the “Accidental Mayor”, he was in the right place at the right time and the Machine and Labor decided he will be Mayor. All they had to do was get him off Twitter, dress him up some and hire a spokesperson to handle his tweets.
Stu
I will never agree with you politically.
You like Kenney Krasner and the outlaw
I like Larry Curly and Moe
Even a stooge knows Larry Curly and Moe are the superior threesome.
If you think I like Kenney and Krasner you need a new brain because the current one is out of order.
Stu
For a guy that use to run comedy nights for candidates I am amazed you didn’t pick this was a joke…
Do you like the outlaw. Antifa had its way in Portland.
Here’s a hint. When making a joke, do this 😀 so the class will know.
Good idea
People from Philadelphia are an extremely proud people. They are quick to decide what needs to be done. The mayor was not making decisions quick enough. Rioting was approaching Philly’s doorsteps. The people, as is their right, took measures to protect themselves, their families, their property, businesses and the community. I applaud their bravery.
I was at The Morrell Park Shoprite 8am today . I asked pharmacy employee about looting Monday.
He said they were not looted, but all windows boarded up because of other Shoprites. Also said someone is guarding, I assume town watch, every night. Remember the owner Brown fighting about the infamous Soda Tax? Kenny hurt sales significantly with the tax, now this!
My column reported town watch protected Morrell Park.
I know, but you also reported that town watch told you it was looted the night before. I was told it wasn’t looted??
Just turned on Dom Diorgiano. He’s having Brown on shortly.
A vigilante, by definition, is NOT defensive; a vigilante is someone who takes the law into his own hands and SEEKS OUT troublemakers to dispense vigilante justice. Think of those who would break into a jail to hang a prisoner. The brave souls who take up DEFENSIVE positions outside the various places of business in Philadelphia are NOT vigilantes, and living proof of why the “Right to keep and bear arms” is so important to the people. No, I am not an NRA member, but I am licensed to carry and am willing to DEFEND my wife and home, should the need arise.
agree 100% with you Vincent. If you cannot depend on your Mayor and Governor who tie the hands of the police so they cannot protect you and your family ~ then it is up to us to protect ourselves and vote out all of those who failed to do so.
Vigilante: a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without
legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.
Self-defense: the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force
or violence.
HAPPY WEDNESDAY !!!
Pick a name or title. You are either with people of the same mind set, or you stand alone. This is the results of “progressive leadership .! ” I apologize” Kenny and associates have not been for the people of Philadelphia since “Noah parked the Ark”, as I like to say.
Are the people tired of self serving politicians ? Will a new broom sweep city council to the street ? Not likely, but we can hope – and pray .
Tony
Philadelphia is reaping the reward of more than 60 years of Democrat policies. “No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the average voter.”
Tony: Vigilante (definition by Merriam-Webster): “A member of a volunteer committee organized to suppress and punish crime SUMMARILY (as when the processes of law are viewed as inadequate. Synonym: a self-appointed doer of justice.” [emphasis mine] Vigilantes take the law into their own hands and dispense ‘justice’ as they see fit. Vigilantes are outside the law. To call people vigilantes when they are merely defensively protecting themselves or their businesses is incorrect. Words have meaning. No offense, just trying to be accurate.
Vince
As you know, there are more definitions than the ones we highlighted. To suit this blog – actually me, I used the above definitions.
This is a classic “English language ” problem. When a word ( vigilante ) is not clearly defined in its use, then people misconstrue. Foreigners trying to acclimate here are very often very confused. The English language is probably one of the hardest languages to understand – then add colloquialisms !
Then with me and my concussions……… you are normally left with a lot of empty space between words that has to be filled…………..
( I grew up with an understanding of Italian. In high school, 4 years of Latin & Rissian. I remember na thing !)
Tony
anyone wanting to live under repug policies please join us in Mis’sipi-you won’t like being LAST
I couldn’t believe the fact that the Mayor and police commissioner and a host of empty headed politicians were having a press conference while the split tv screen showed looting unchecked and unpoliced on Chestnut and Walnut streets. Mean while I saw dozens and dozens of police doing nothing protecting the Rizzo statute. Philadelphians overpaid when it came to this lame new police commissioner.
They were protecting the MSB. They weren’t protecting the statue.Get a clue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In his book “THE VIGILANTES” by Thomas Dimsdale he pointed out that the vigilante movement was a last resort in areas where government law enforcement totally broke down. It is when residents are led to believe that government can no longer protect them from lawlessness that vigilance groups form. Some of us older folks are in the position where we believe we can no longer protect ourselves. Some of us believe that the mayor, the police commissioner and the district attorney have made it clear that they will not protect us. The appearance of vigilante activity should be considered a bad omen.
Bad omen indeed, but unfortunately necessary. Hence the press conference trying to distract the citizens from their failures. Honesty is always more credible than lies. They should just admit their poor judgement and adjust their responses. We saw some good police work last night, but it needs to continue.
Philadelphia, PA
Dear Stu,
In reply, I do not worry so much about the Mayor, the Police Chief or the DA. I don’t share your local blame catalog.
But the establishment in this city is pretty poor spirited. There is much more of competitive destruction aimed at the “socially” or “institutionally” weaker –those not starting out with the best connections– than there is of building anything up in particular. Its a chiefly defensive mind set. I made a career only by getting out of town for long stretches.
I recall asking around town why it is that Philadelphia is “the poorest of the 10 largest cities in the country,” as repeatedly reported herabouts. One thing I discovered is that most people didn’t know what the 10 largest cities in the country are. (Hint: only three are East of the Mississippi.) What seems obvious is the the comparatively low real estate prices arises from the lack of good paying jobs for ordinary people. The prices don’t get bid up as they do elsewhere. People down from NYC take a look and you get “Wow, just like Brooklyn, but it goes on forever !” The dollar signs light up in their eyes.
Or, look at it this way, in 1950, the population of the country was about 150 million and of the city about 2m. Now the country is up around 325m and the city about 1.5m. By how much would you say Philadelphia’s contribution to the national GDP has declined? Obviously, going by populations one would expect it to have declined to less than half of the percentage contribution in 1950. The metropolitan area is still very rich, of course, so it seems that wealth has drifted out of the city. Given, that Philadelphia is the poorest of the 10 largest cities in the country, it seems clear that in comparative terms, the city is much declined. Yet we have 1 lop-sided 7 to 1 domination of registrations for the party which has controlled the City every since the early 1950s.
Imagine the intensive competition among the sellers of buggy-whips as the automobile came in. Absolutely cut-throat, and get rid of anyone who you can. Control all opportunity to benefit yourself and the devil take the hindmost. Rededicate yourself to the holy dogmas we all share in the buggy-whip business, those of little faith will perish.
That’s an image for you.
H.G. Callaway
Born and Raised in Frankford. Bought my first home in Morrell Park and Now living in the Burbs.. Was so proud of my former neighbors who protected the shopping centers that are so vital to the residents, it made me miss the community of closeness in Morrell Park
I am proud of my neighbors for making me feel safe when my own Philadelphia Police Department could not because of the lack of leadership by the mayor and commissioner of the great city. When I saw with my own two eyes and heard with my own two ears that the mayor called my neighbors “vigilantes” my initial reaction was anger. That said, I looked up the definition of vigilante: “a member of a self-appointed group of citizens who undertake law enforcement in their community without legal authority, typically because the legal agencies are thought to be inadequate.” I quickly learned that, yes indeed they are vigilantes because MAYOR JIM KENNEY, YOU SIR, ARE INADEQUATE! South Philadelphia, Fishown, and any other Philadelphia neighborhood who are stepping up to protect their own while the Philadelphia Police are being held back by bureaucracy, continue doing what you are doing! I thank you for stepping up to do what our city government is not!
Driving by Franklin Mills today and saw NG guarding the mall. Beginning of the end?
Unfortunately, this is what it has come to when the system fails you. I live in this area and what these men did for the community was nothing more then protecting what we all have worked hard for. They didn’t provoke anyone, didn’t yell at passersby, they stayed in a few different areas and watched.
The police checked them all out and everything was on the up and up. While some places hired armed security to protect their livleyhoods, these neighborhood folk did what they thought was right. My personal opinion, get used to seeing this.
Just out of Curiosity did you call the Palladium a dive bar because it was in South Philadelphia? South Philadelphia does it need you or your asshole comments
I called it a dive bar because I have been there and I think you don’t even know what the term means. (P.S.: I know one of the guys, who had no problem.)