Editorial | Unsettling statistics

Across Philadelphia, homicides are skyrocketing. Violent crimes continue to threaten local security and victimize residents.

But to prevent the death of innocent civilians, the Philadelphia Police Department would do well to reevaluate its own performance - within the past year, too many officers have resorted to killing suspects during confrontations.

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Philadelphia police fatally shot 20 people last year and three in only the first three weeks of this new year," the highest number of fatalities since 1980.

Often, an officer may have no choice but to kill a suspect who is threatening his safety, but unnecessary fatalities are a growing problem.

In response to concerns, the city government created an oversight group, the Philadelphia Police Advisory Commission, to investigate.

Theoretically, this is a good move by Philadelphia. However, according to William Johnson, the executive director of the commission, this body serves as an advisory board. After he and his colleagues complete their review, they will submit recommendations for changes to the Philadelphia Police Department, but only the police department can ultimately take action.

At the moment, Johnson speculated that the reason for the increase in police-related fatalities "can be correlated with the fact that there have been more violent crimes being committed lately - more crimes being committed with handguns."

But while Johnson added that Philadelphia has launched a number of initiatives to curb violence, the commission cannot place all the blame on crime in the city - wrongful fatalities should not be coming from those who are supposed to make us feel safer.

Once the commission's report is given to the police commissioner, who is ultimately responsible for the success of future initiatives, the commissioner cannot be timid in holding officers accountable for wrongful deaths.

Philadelphia was wise to form the commission, but it will only be worth it if the police department follows through on its recommendations.

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