Letters: Can anybody help on drug sales?

IN THE 'HOOD, drugs are sold 24/7 on the corners, with customers constantly coming by or just waiting for the next package to arrive because they know no one, not even the police, are going to do anything.

You can call 911, they'll ask you 10 questions, take your information and nothing is done. The police will come only to ride by the corner, see the person and not even pat them down. What happened to the mayor's stop-and-frisk?

The area I'm talking about is North 43rd from Westminister to Wyalusing. It's off the hook, and our law enforcement doesn't care. You have young men riding bikes selling crack and putting their stash in bushes and alleys. Is there anyone who can help?

Ali Raheem, Philadelphia

How'd we miss that?

Why does it take a national survey for Philadelphians and our political leadership to become aware of all the social negatives affecting the city? Is it because negatives are the norm?

Len Trower, Philadelphia

Obama & his pin

I'm thrilled that Barack Obama has decided to wear his American flag pin. I'm not so thrilled that he had to be pressured to wear it.

I was also taken aback when I saw that Colin Powell is undecided on who he'll back in the election. I think Mr. Powell should be reminded that he is a Republican, and, should he not vote his party line and back Sen. Obama simply because of race, then he's not the intelligent man I'd taken him for.

Kenneth Carchidi, Philadelphia

Berlin memorial

President Reagan's son, Michael, went to Berlin to work with city leaders to erect a statue of his father honoring his efforts to persuade Mikhail Gorbachev to "Tear down this wall!"

I served in the Army in Landstuhl, Germany, during the height of the Berlin crisis (1960-1963). Our unit was deployed that August day in 1961 when the barbed wire was strung between East and West Berlin. Our unit never made it into Berlin, but we were outside in the forest waiting. A conflict was averted when our tanks and the Russian tanks backed off.

George J. Walton, Upper Darby

Cops & courts

To retired Philadelphia Police Officer Phil Bowen:

You question where city officials are permitted to park. Did you ever write a ticket at any of those locations?

City officers ride SEPTA for free. So officers have an option: Take the bus to court or pay for parking. As far as an officer giving up time to testify in court, you must have forgotten that they are on the clock. And as quiet as it is kept, officers get paid eight hours of overtime even if they are only in court for an hour. That should cover parking, lunch and dinner.

Eugene K. Epperson, Philadelphia