Kamala Harris's 'Progressive' Crime Policies Under Scrutiny Amid Philadelphia Debate

As Kamala Harris and former President Trump prepare for their 2024 presidential debate, critics are highlighting the city of Philadelphia's crime surge, which they blame partly on Harris's 'progressive' policies as a prosecutor in California.

As former President Trump and Vice President Harris gear up for their first 2024 presidential debate, the issue of crime in Philadelphia has come to the forefront. Harris, a former top cop in San Francisco and Attorney General of California, has faced criticism for her support of 'progressive' prosecutorial policies that Critics argue have contributed to a rise in crime.

According to Philadelphia police statistics, homicides climbed steadily from 2019 to 2022, reaching a 16-year high. While they declined in 2023 and again in 2024, the city still saw more homicides than in 2018.

Kamala Harris's 'Progressive' Crime Policies Under Scrutiny Amid Philadelphia Debate

Critics of Philadelphia's progressive prosecutor, Larry Krasner, argue that his policies, which prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, have emboldened criminals. While official statistics show a decline in violent crime over the last two years, both saw more homicides than when Krasner took office.

David Gelman, a local defense attorney and former prosecutor, disputes the official statistics, claiming that homicides have not decreased but have been re-classified. He cites the continuous reports of shootings and murders in the city.

Kamala Harris's 'Progressive' Crime Policies Under Scrutiny Amid Philadelphia Debate

Despite the decline in homicides, violent crime remains a concern in Philadelphia. Criminal incidents continue to shock the city, including the recent arrest of a young woman for allegedly shooting a 7-month-old baby and a brazen shooting at a block party that left three dead and six injured.

Harris, however, continues to portray herself as a former "cop," despite her support for bail funds that have helped release criminal suspects, including some who were later accused of murder.

Kamala Harris's 'Progressive' Crime Policies Under Scrutiny Amid Philadelphia Debate

In 2020, Harris solicited donations for the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which posted bail for Black Lives Matter protesters arrested during anti-police rioting. However, some of these suspects, including George Howard and Shawn Michael Tillman, went on to be accused of violent crimes after their release.

Harris's office has declined to comment on the bail fund recipients.

Kamala Harris's 'Progressive' Crime Policies Under Scrutiny Amid Philadelphia Debate

As Harris and Trump face off in the upcoming debate, the issue of crime in Philadelphia is likely to be a key point of contention. Critics of Harris's progressive policies argue that they have contributed to the city's crime surge, while supporters maintain that her approach aims to address the root causes of crime and promote rehabilitation.