After years of public debates, protests and legislative reform, SugarHouse, Philadelphia’s first casino, opened its doors in September. And if Foxwoods stays on the track it’s on, the city may see a second casino before long.
This newspaper has expressed support for casinos in Philadelphia in the past, and SugarHouse alone is expected to raise millions annually for the city.
But there are many who believe SugarHouse and other casinos are gambles. Now that it has been open for nearly eight weeks, SugarHouse needs to increase its potential for success and alleviate some Philadelphians’ fears that the casino will attract crime to the area.
SugarHouse has implemented security measures like surveillance cameras and 24-hour security patrols and is working with city and state police. However, several crimes have already occurred in the casino’s still-short existence, including an armed robbery early Friday morning in the casino’s parking lot. SugarHouse has not done enough to convince neighborhood groups that the existing security measures are sufficient. Allowing events like Friday’s robbery to happen is only going to cause the casino to further alienate these groups.
SugarHouse must continue to work with local authorities to ensure the safety of neighborhood residents, and together these groups must do more to prevent further crimes.
