Perhaps Frank Rizzo Was Right: "Scappo il Capo"

After last night’s violence in Philadelphia, where businesses were burned, looted and vandalized and police officers were injured, Philadelphia Mayor Kenney felt the need to inform us that he plans to accelerate the move of the stature of the late Frank Rizzo, which was defaced in the orgy of unchecked violence. As if the statute was at fault rather than the happy rioters.

Perhaps Rizzo, Philly’s former mayor and top cop, was right when he told an Italian diplomat that the way to treat criminals was scappo il capo, an Italian phrase translated roughly to “crack their heads.”

Many citizens are outraged and sickened not only the violence, but also by the weak response to the violence by liberal mayors and their appointed police chiefs, who appear almost sympathetic and apologetic to the rioters. 

When unchecked violence and lawlessness occurs, citizens often look to a strong populist leader who champions law and order and traditional values, like Frank Rizzo, or Donald Trump. 

Lock 'Em Up: Violent Protestors in Philadelphia And Elsewhere Should Be Arrested Now

A criminal suspect died while being restrained by a Minnesota police officer. A video shows the officer with his knees on the suspect’s neck. The suspect later died.

The police officer was fired. The police officer was arrested. 

End of a tragic story, right? 

Wrong.

Rioting, burning and looting have occurred around the country, including Philadelphia.  

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that crowds of protesters gathered outside City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art early Saturday afternoon to protest the death of the Minnesota suspect, and later a mob “morphed into chaos” in Center City. 

“As the tumult unfolded — with people setting cars on fire, trying to topple the statue of Frank L. Rizzo, breaking windows at City Hall, and ransacking stores across Center City — it was difficult for police to contain the fallout, having to respond to a new incident as soon as they managed to get another one under control,” the Inquirer reported. “The protests posed an unenviable challenge for police. Philadelphia’s force — which for decades had a reputation for relying on brutality and coercive tactics — in recent years has consistently sought to avoid confrontation and escalation at protests. The city in 2016 also decriminalized most nuisance offenses to avoid heavy-handed enforcement ahead of the Democratic National Convention.”

Do you feel the need to protest racial politics and police actions? Fine. But there is no excuse for violence, theft and vandalism.   

In my view, the timid and passive mayors of Philadelphia and other cities should allow the police, and the National Guard if needed, to take the gloves off and crack down on the violent protestors. 

It is time for law & order. 

Lock ‘em all up.