Republican U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick and Republicans on Monday pointed at policies promoted by Democrats after 200 vehicles were reportedly used for 11 illegal car meetups throughout Philadelphia over the weekend, which reportedly included multiple attacks against Philadelphia police officers and one injury.
Video shared on the social media platform X by the House Judiciary GOP appeared to show attendees at one meetup swarming a police car, throwing themselves on it as it attempted to drive through the crowd.
“You’re not safe in Democrat-run Philadelphia,” the account wrote.
You’re not safe in Democrat-run Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/iQomU7w3AO
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) September 23, 2024
Another video posted to social media appears to be recorded by a drone, showing other vehicles began driving near the police car as illegal car meetup attendees hurl their bodies into the street.
Philadelphia basically looks like a game of Grand Theft Auto now.
It is just sad that we’ve allowed the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed to become this. pic.twitter.com/9JO9PK3Lv2
— Joey Mannarino (@JoeyMannarinoUS) September 23, 2024
The lawlessness reportedly involved more than 200 vehicles, according to Fox 29, which reported Mayor Cherelle Parker vowed to stop the street takeovers.
According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, multiple police officers were attacked or had their vehicles damaged during their response, and one officer was responding to an unrelated call when he was struck by a vehicle fleeting a nearby meetup.
In a statement, McCormick blamed Democrats, but unlike the House Judiciary GOP, specifically attributed blame to his opponent, Senator Bob Casey (D-PA), and Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner.
“The total chaos we saw play out this weekend on the streets of Philadelphia is unacceptable,” said McCormick. “Our brave men and women in law enforcement are doing everything they can to keep the peace, but weak Bob Casey and soft on crime District Attorney Larry Krasner’s policies have emboldened the lawlessness.”
He added “Our cities deserve leaders at every level who will crack down on crime, give officers the resources they need, and keep Pennsylvania families safe.”
McCormick shared similar remarks in a post to the social media platform X, where he posted a campaign video highlighting his campaign’s endorsements from law enforcement organizations.
“Bob Casey’s weakness and support of Soros-funded DA Larry Krasner is making Philly less safe — just look at the chaos last night,” wrote McCormick. “That’s why PA law enforcement who used to back Casey now back me.”
Bob Casey's weakness and support of Soros-funded DA Larry Krasner is making Philly less safe — just look at the chaos last night.
That's why PA law enforcement who used to back Casey now back me.
— Dave McCormick (@DaveMcCormickPA) September 23, 2024
Krasner has repeatedly faced accusations of fostering criminality with his soft response to crime, with locals stating last year that criminals are no longer concerned with legal consequences for their actions because his office often declines prosecution.
They echoed the remarks of law enforcement experts, who months earlier testified that leniency from Krasner’s office was a major obstacle to law enforcement efforts to promote public safety.
McCormick’s campaign previously highlighted the Black Lives Matter event attended by Casey in June 2020, when he symbolically knelt with protestors in Lancaster in honor of George Floyd.
Casey has claimed he does not support defunding the police, but The Washington Free Beacon reported in February the senator remains a fervent supporter of Black Lives Matter, which supports various anti-police initiatives.
The senator also first introduced the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020 that would have increased federal prosecutors’ oversight of police officers and restricted “certain policing practices” across the United States.
Polling released last week showed both the races for the White House and U.S. Senate tied in Pennsylvania, with Casey and McCormick in a dead heat, as well as a tie between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump.
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Tom Pappert is the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star, and also reports for The Pennsylvania Daily Star and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Tom on X/Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
