ABOVE PHOTO: Mayor Michael Nutter addresses PAC at the Guardian Civic League last week.
The Political Action Committee for the Guardian Civic League, the local chapter of the National Black Police Association, announced Monday, April 18, outside its office at 1516 W. Girard Ave., at 12 noon, that it is backing Mayor Michael A. Nutter for a second term.
Formed to “bring together members of the Philadelphia police department who were interested in civic betterment, through close cooperation between the police and the communities which they service,” the group cited the Mayor’s leadership in decreasing the rate of violent crime and lowering the prison population, as well as his inclusive governing approach as reasons for its endorsement.
“He’s a visionary for the city,” said Guardian Civic League P.A.C. Co-Chairperson Billy Mahoney. “We have all been able to participate and be involved, and been upgraded in education, housing, jobs and bringing pride back to the city.” Mahoney also praised the Mayor’s ability to maintain Charles Ramsey as Philadelphia police commissioner: “There’s no break in what we’re trying to do.”
The League represents 2,500 active and retired African American Philadelphia police officers, with the retired members making up the P.A.C.’s voting members.
Violent crime last year was down 13 percent since before the Mayor took office. Homicides last year were down 22 percent compared to 2007.
In addition, last year’s prison population dropped 10 percent from 2009, while the Mayor’s RISE (Office of Re-Integration Services for Ex-Offenders) program posted a 4 percent recidivism rate among the 1,285 ex-offenders who enrolled in its network. Hundreds found permanent jobs.
“I am greatly honored to receive the support of the Guardian Civic League and to be recognized for the hard-won improvements in public safety that we – together — have brought to more of our communities,” Mayor Nutter said. “The Guardian Civic League has had a 55-year history of speaking out, and exhibiting in word and deed that we can improve the quality of life in Philadelphia’s African-American community, and in all the city’s communities.”
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