Newly-elected Mayor Michal Nutter has appointed former Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington D.C., Charles Ramsey, as the new police commissioner.

On January 14th, I attended one of 6 town hall meetings being held throughout the city with the new commissioner. People came out in droves to South Philadelphia High School; to welcome Officer Ramsey and ask tough questions. All races, ages and socioeconomics were represented in the auditorium. Issues raised, ranged from added alley lighting to better community police ties. However one concern raised it’s voice above all the others: crime. They were sick of it and wanted to know what Officer Ramsey planned on doing about it.

Ramsey spent the evening, jotting down suggestions and recommendations from his audience. Ideas that will likely go toward the crime reduction plan he has been charged with to create for the city. The crime plan will be revealed to the public at the end of this month. Time will tell if Ramsey will produce as good a track record in Philadelphia as he had in D.C. (his 6 year tenure as chief saw a 40% decrease in crime rates).