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Violent crime, including drug-related violent crime, is a significant threat in the PC HIDTA region. Street gang members often use firearms to demand respect, defend their turf, or acquire new distribution territories. Moreover, law enforcement officials in Camden attribute high levels of violence to attempts by the Camden Bloods street gang to take control of drug markets from smaller, less organized neighborhood gangs. Asian street gang members are increasing their presence in the PC HIDTA region. They often commit armed home invasions of Asian businessmen who, as a result of their distrust of traditional financial institutions, often have large amounts of cash in their homes.
Many of the homicides in Philadelphia involve individuals with a history of drug use and/or arrests; however, most of the homicides are the result of interpersonal disputes. Homicides in Philadelphia rose to a 9-year high of 406 in 2006 and decreased slightly to 392 in 2007 (see Figure 2). However, despite the decrease, Philadelphia's homicide rate is one of the highest homicide rates among the nation's 10 largest cities. Violence against law enforcement officers is also a major concern to officials in the region. In November 2007 six Philadelphia police officers (including two Philadelphia Police Department Narcotics officers) were shot; one died.
Figure 2. Number of Homicides, Philadelphia, 1998-2007
Source: Philadelphia Police Department, 2008.
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