Rick Gandy stood calmly watching his 7-year-old daughter swing on a swing-set near Widener University Sunday afternoon, occasionally giving her a gentle push when she needed momentum.
Just one day prior, Mayor Wendell N. Butler Jr. gave his city a more forceful shove, declaring a state of emergency and enacting a lockdown in five city areas designated as being hot spots for crime.
The city made it through the first night of the lockdown without a major incident Saturday night, the first of at least five mandatory nights in which residents are banned from public streets and areas between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. The lockdown could last an additional 30 days if city council opts to honor the mayor’s request to do so when it meets Wednesday.
Republican Butler has a supporter in Gandy, a member of the Chester City GOP Committee.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Gandy said. “Little kids can’t come out and play and have a good time. We have guys running around and shooting and not knowing where they’re shooting at.”
A lifelong Chester resident, Gandy said he’s distressed about the recent surge in violence, which resulted in five homicides this month and seven since May 1. “It brings tears to my eyes,” he said. “Growing up, it was never this way.”
Using Marshall Law to run your city?
Now that's "Progressive"!
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