Inqlings: Safer now maybe than in 1776?

Independence Hall is one of the safest areas in Philadelphia, and many Philadelphians were quick to counter Glenn Beck's talk-radio rant last week in which he suggested otherwise.

To dramatize the safety, WMGK-FM's John DeBella affixed $48 in bills to his clothing and set out to walk around the block for an hour in the dark at 6 p.m. Wednesday, trying to get mugged, while station promotion director Dan Fein videotaped him.

When no crooks took the bait, the morning man walked up to people, stuck a microphone in their faces, and asked for their impressions of their personal safety. No complaints. He and Fein also left the camera bag on a planter for 20 minutes, and it was unmolested.

But Fein and DeBella broke the law while making the video, which wound up on YouTube (http://go.philly.com/debella). DeBella says that about 55 minutes into their planned hour on Chestnut Street, National Park Service rangers ordered them to stop taping on federal property because they lacked a permit.