Philadelphia homicides have decreased by 50% this year, but violent incidents like the recent laundromat stabbing show challenges remain.
Philadelphia has been grappling with violent crime over the past decade, with a significant rise in murders beginning in 2018, the year District Attorney Larry Krasner took office. According to Philadelphia Police Department data, the number of murders from 2018 to 2021 rose steadily, peaking at 562 in 2021. To this date, the homicide numbers remain significantly higher than the pre-2018 average, which ranged from 248 to 331 murders annually.
The chart provided details the number of murders in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2023, with a clear shift in numbers starting in 2018, which corresponds to Larry Krasner’s tenure as District Attorney.
A recent murder in West Philadelphia highlights the persistent problem of violent crime in the city, despite a reported 50% decline in homicides year-to-date. On October 18, 2024, a man was fatally stabbed inside a gas station/laundromat along North 63rd Street. The attack, captured on surveillance video, showed a masked man approaching the victim—who was playing a gambling machine—and stabbing him multiple times without apparent provocation.
The victim struggled before collapsing outside near his parked car, where officers found him “bleeding heavily from multiple stab wounds,” according to Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small. The man was transported to a nearby hospital but later succumbed to his injuries.
Philadelphia has faced increased scrutiny over its homicide rates in recent years, often attributed to District Attorney Larry Krasner’s policies since he took office in 2018. An analysis of the data from the Philadelphia Police Department, as seen in the chart above, reveals a stark contrast between the pre-2018 and post-2018 periods.
Critics often cite Krasner’s reforms—such as reducing incarceration for non-violent offenses and re-evaluating prosecution priorities—as contributing factors to the increase in violent crime. They argue that these policies have weakened law enforcement’s ability to address serious crimes, leading to a rise in homicides.
Proponents, however, claim that the rise in homicides aligns with national trends exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, economic instability, and social unrest, factors not unique to Philadelphia. They also argue that Krasner’s policies focus on long-term solutions, such as addressing systemic issues like poverty and lack of education, rather than solely punitive measures.
The debate over Krasner’s impact remains, but the data underscores that Philadelphia’s homicide rates have increased since his term began.