D.A. joins panel to discuss urban crime

Philadelphia District Attorney Lynne Abraham addressed a full house yesterday in a roundtable discussion about the problems of urban crime. The dialogue, in which several other experts also participated, was part of a series entitled "Reversal of Fortunes" sponsored by the Graduate School of Fine Arts's Department of City and Regional Planning. "Urban Crime -- Result or Cause of Economic Decline" is the February chapter in the continuing program, which examines national urban trends by focusing on problems confronting Philadelphia's urban population. Moderated by Fine Arts Professor Seymour Mandelbaum, the discussion included Abraham; Patrick Harris, executive director of the Virginia Crime Prevention Association; and James Jacobs, a professor at the New York University School of Law. The panelists frequently called for a partnership between the community, police and government. "We've got to bring more people into the fold to address the law enforcement issue," Harris said. "It is not just a police responsibility." Harris said he wants architects and city planners to think about how their projects affect criminal activity in a city. He suggested that universities put crime in the curriculum for urban planning students. "Stop trying to arrest the problem away," he said. Jacobs explained that it is necessary to focus on the role of crime reduction in urban regeneration, not on the role of crime in urban decay. "I think we have to be thinking in terms of reducing fear and reducing disorder and improving the quality of life for people and for businesses in order for cities to survive," said Jacobs, who pointed to the need for "public-private partnerships" in order to reduce crime. "It would make all the difference in the world" if the problems could be solved, Jacobs continued. "People would enjoy living in the city, people would enjoy coming to the city, people who would otherwise move out of the city would stay in the city." Abraham, a Temple University graduate who lived in West Philadelphia, emphasized the need to work on local issues and create a system of education that keeps children away from crime. "I know the only way that we're going to be able to work effectively to prevent crime is to work through the communities," Abraham said. "I look at those places [full of vacant homes] and in my mind's eye I see a whole community growing up." In order to spread her message of civic involvement, Abraham set up "Urban Genesis," a non-profit organization that aims to revitalize city neighborhoods. "Schools should be used as multi-purpose community centers," she said. Not only should old schools be bulldozed in favor of newer, smaller ones, but these new buildings should become centers consisting of libraries and health clinics. Abraham also favors longer hours in the school day and more days of class per year. When asked by an audience member to comment specifically on the University's role in community development, Abraham, Harris and Jacob each noted that there is a definite need for a University-community partnership. "The success of the University depends a lot on the quality of life of the neighborhood around it? It would be very helpful if as part of your degree requirement you would be responsible to do some kind of community service project," she said. And Harris warned against building a wall around the University. "Can we design a campus environment that is going to be safer for us and not create this fortress mentality?" he asked. The next discussion in the series, "Why Are People and Families Moving Out," will take place February 26, according to Reversal of Fortunes coordinator Dmitri Wasilewski.