PHILADELPHIA - Major U.S. cities experienced several violent incidents and shootings over the Easter weekend.
In Philadelphia, dozens of people were shot in separate shootings across the city between Thursday and Sunday. Nine of those people died from their injuries, including an armed home invasion suspect impersonating a police officer who was fatally shot by a Mayfair resident with a license to carry.
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw joined Good Day Philadelphia to discuss rising crime and answer questions from FOX 29 viewers.
When asked about where Philadelphia's crime stands compared to other major cities, Outlaw says crime is an issue regardless of where the city ranks. "For those of us who live here, we know what it really is like all day every day," she said. "We're starting to see a downward trend that we were kind of seeing at the end of the year last year, but crime is still an issue regardless of where the numbers are and where we are compared to other cities." Many Philadelphia residents want police officials and politicians to take the blame for the rising crime, but Outlaw says it is up to the entire community. "I think we have to start looking at crime in Philadelphia as an ecosystem, public safety as an ecosystem," she said. "It's not just the police.