Crime in the Burg

The 2006 FBI statistics are out and I've done the hard work for you, dear readers. It's almost official - as far as violent crimes per capita, Baltimore and Harrisburg are in a statistical dead heat. For rape, Harrisburg wins hands down. Yes, folks, you are five times as likely to be raped in Harrisburg as in Baltimore and three times as likely as if you walked the streets of DC.

Rates per 100,000 for various crime categories:


Harrisburg: Violent crime = 1690 Murder = 21 Forcible rape = 107
Savannah: Violent crime = 555 Murder =14 Forcible rape =30
DC: Violent crime = 1445 Murder =29 Forcible rape =31
Baltimore: Violent crime = 1696 Murder =43 Forcible rape =21
Philadelphia: Violent crime = 1562 Murder =28 Forcible rape =66

Source: FBI annual crime statistics http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/index.html

Court House 4.0

Two possible sites just announced:

"I wanted to provide you with an update on our progress of site selection for a new courthouse in Harrisburg. GSA has reduced its long list of ten sites to a short list of two sites. These sites include: the southwest corner of 3rd and Pine Streets which is bounded by Pine Street, 3rd Street, Cranberry Street and Court Street; and the southeast corner of 2nd and Locust Streets which is bounded by Locust Street, Court Street, Walnut Street and 2nd Street. During the selection process, these two sites rated well overall in the following areas: · Identity of Site within the Community · Consistency with Adjacent Activities, Land Use and Community Character · Compatibility of Districts and Scale · Cost Factors GSA believes that these site alternatives would best fulfill its statutory mission and responsibilities, giving consideration to economic, environmental, technical and other factors. A final decision on the site selection is expected by early 2008. GSA will continue to have an open process throughout the project and continue to solicit public input. An e-mail address and a phone line have been setup to receive comments and suggestions regarding the new courthouse. The public may send e-mails to HarrisburgCourthouse@gsa.gov or call 215.446.4933.

We're Number One!!!

Thanks to Mayor Reed and the millions spent on the Harrisburg School District - we're number one in the ranks. Way to go! Give the Superintendent a bonus.

Oh, wait. I read the list backwards . . .

We're actually dead last - Number 500 our of 500 school districts in the state.

http://albuquerque.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2007/05/21/daily24.html

A Master Plan, Public Comments Solicited

What a fabulous idea. The City comes up with a master plan for development, holds a meeting, invites everyone to view the plans and make comments right then and there. People are heard, ideas exchanged . . . sound like a pipe dream?

It doesn't have to be.

http://savannahnow.com/node/291690

The State of the City

Guess what? The incinerator isn't making money! Real Estate taxes up 17% - school taxes due to go up quite a bit too. Great job, Mayor Reed.

http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnews/2007/05/harrisburg_incinerator_contrac.html

Commercial space on City Island

If you don't mind flooding, there's commercial space for rent on City Island. Actually, just a press release and web site. But it looks as if plans for the Sports Hall of Fame have been resurrected - courtesy Mayor Reed.

http://nationalsportshalloffame.net/

$16 Million slush fund?

In case you didn't catch the news, Reed just sold the Senators at a profit. But what's most interesting is a sentence from the news story:

"The next step, Reed said, is getting state support for renovation. The city has set aside $16 million and is eligible for $18.2 million in state funds, he said."

Okay, where is that $16 million sitting? Set aside? Where? Why hasn't it been used to balance the budget, pay for police or even for snow removal? More importantly, are there more pockets of money just lying around?

Please, someone audit this city!!!

http://blog.pennlive.com/patriotnews/2007/05/mayor_to_talk_about_senators_s.html