Writing in an op-ed for Fox News Digital, Philadelphia business owner Dave Magrogan ripped into the soft-on-crime politicians that have let crime levels skyrocket and law-abiding businesses and business owners be terrorized in the once-great city.
Beginning, Magrogan, a restaurant owner, ripped into the current state of the city, highlighting how badly things are currently going. In his words:
Citizens on both sides of the aisle are discussing crime rates and safety concerns impacting daily life in the city. National and regional chains from Wawa to Starbucks, Walgreens and CVS are closing locations or not renewing leases based on safety concerns for their employees and the never-ending shoplifting problem.
My far-left friends are concerned. My center-left friends in the city are scared, and looking at options to move. My independent friends believe it is a gross dereliction of responsibility to let the city collapse this way. My center-right friends aren’t going to the city anymore. My far-right friends believe it is a war zone. There is no political affiliation that believes things are going well in the City of Philadelphia.
Continuing, Magrogan then highlighted that, thanks to the police department being understaffed and underfunded by a soft-on-crime and anti-police government, there’s no justice for those victimized by crime, saying:
As the windows of my restaurant were shattered on Sunday night, I realized like many of the citizens of Philadelphia there will be no justice in this case. There will be no real investigation and nobody will be held accountable. The resources of the police department are razor-thin and a smashed window is not a priority.
And the result of that? The city will fall. The basic duty of government is to keep its citizens safe and, if it’s no longer doing that, or, worse, intentionally stopping that from happening, people are going to leave for somewhere where the government will fulfill its basic duties to its people. In his words:
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This is how a city falls. A smashed window becomes acceptable and part of life. Next, it’s a stolen car or a home burglary. Eventually, violent crimes, gunshots, and carjackings become an acceptable risk to living in the city. Walking around a corner and being mugged or beaten is now more of a concern than ever for tourists and citizens.
[…]If there are no protections for people or property, why should someone choose to invest and commit to being part of the fabric of the community? Basic protections are the fundamental responsibility of our city government. They have failed in this endeavor and it is time for a dramatic change in leadership.
Governments, Madrogan and those like him insist, must protect their people from the ravages of criminality and provide justice when criminals attack. If that doesn’t happen, why should people stick around?
By: Gen Z Conservative