Inquirer Editorial: No justice
Not one of the 22 shopkeepers allegedly robbed or roughed up by Philadelphia police was brought before a federal grand jury to testify. Possibly one of the three women alleging sexual assault was called. But these alleged victims told the Daily News' Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman their stories, which were reported in compelling, Pulitzer-winning detail. There was even video of officers rampaging through a bodega.
Not one of the 22 shopkeepers allegedly robbed or roughed up by Philadelphia police was brought before a federal grand jury to testify. Possibly one of the three women alleging sexual assault was called. But these alleged victims told the Daily News' Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman their stories, which were reported in compelling, Pulitzer-winning detail. There was even video of officers rampaging through a bodega.
Despite that, the feds couldn't make a case against the cops. District Attorney Seth Williams unfortunately concurred.
It now falls to Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey to discipline the officers and, at a minimum, keep them away from the public.
The officers remain free, but the victims never can be. They will always fear they live in a society that lets police brutalize people without consequences. The rest of us should worry, too.