If the people of Philadelphia want protection and the comfort of safety, why wouldn't the hard-working citizens pay for this? Let's also remember that our police officers and firefighters are a large portion of the city tax base, thus making them somewhat self-supporting.
Michael Lauder, Philadelphia
Re Lou Peluso's recent letter on police officers and dog shootings:
I think he should be more concerned with the "animals" who are shooting people in the city.
Operation Safe Streets is a step in the right direction, but unfortunately has come about 20 years too late.
As much as police try, we cannot be omnipresent. Shooting dogs and people is not a hobby of anyone that I know in the Philadelphia Police Department.
Gary Capuano, Philadelphia
Once again, liberal Democrats have used the issue of urban violence to push their anti-gun agenda. Mayor Street's proposal to limit gun permits in the city is a blatant violation of the Second Amendment rights of the city's law-abiding citizens.
The vast majority of guns used in crimes are obtained illegally, and limiting the right of Philadelphia's citizens will do nothing to stop these violent incidents.
Placing a moratorium on issuing carry permits does not address the real issue - guns obtained illegally by criminals. Law-breakers don't care about any new legislation, moratoriums or staffing reducations in the gun permits unit.
Criminals will continue to obtain firearms for as long as they want - regardless of any new bill introduced by legislature.
Leonard Azzarano, Philadelphia
Has letter-writer Bob Lunny lost his mind? He wants me to pay me more for my beer at the bar because I want to smoke while I drink it?
Bob, if you don't want to hang out in a bar where people smoke, then either find a place that is non-smoking - there are plenty around if you bother to look - or stay home!
Last time I checked, if you are 18, buying cigarettes is NOT against the law, and smoking them shouldn't be either. I am so sick of people who don't even patronize these bars trying to cram their non-smoking ideals down our throats!
It should be up to the individual bar owners whether they want to allow smoking or not - and up to employees whether they want to work in a place that permits it. It should not be up to local politicians. I hope people remember this lunacy come next election!
Danielle Miller
Philadelphia
