Larry Krasner is seeking a third term as district attorney for Philadelphia. In the lead up to the May 20 Democratic primary, when Krasner faces a challenge from former Judge Pat Dugan, Krasner visited City Cast Philly to make his case for why he deserves another term as Philly’s chief prosecutor.
He touted the lowest murder rate in a half-century, defended himself from criticism that he doesn’t work well with other elements of law enforcement, and sought to compare his opponent to President Trump.
There are no Republican candidates in the race; the winner of the primary will likely be the city’s next D.A. Here’s a preview of City Cast Philly host Trenae Nuri’s conversation with Krasner:
Eight years ago, you were a symbol of the so-called progressive D.A. movement … Eight years later, what’s different?
“ I got up this morning, I checked my crime statistics as I do every day … we have the lowest number of homicides by far in the last 50 years. That is remarkable …
"There's been a deep investment in prevention through community-based organizations. I think city council and the mayors have been part of that. There has also been an effort to use really modern law enforcement. In other words, forensics [analysts] use science to solve crimes that were never getting solved. And we've gotten some tremendous results that include things like shutting down certain shooting groups …
"So a lot safer, but it's a lot fairer as a system. We've gotten almost 45 people outta jail who were exonerated. Why? Because nearly all of them were completely innocent of the crimes for which they were wrongfully convicted. We are looking at what may be the lowest county jail population during my lifetime, certainly during my career. We’re at 3,600 – [former District Attorney] Lynne Abraham was almost at 10,000.”
You're often criticized for not having good relationships with other parts of law enforcement … So I'm wondering, are you getting along better with the police union head Roosevelt Poplar?
“Well you know Roosevelt Poplar has been a real breath of fresh air compared to [former police union head] John McNesby. John McNesby pretty much told everybody the truth, which is that he was very comfortable in a world where police officers were wearing Nazi tattoos that were visible. He defended that as the head of the union… He had no problem stating that Black Lives Matter was a ‘pack of rabid animals’ in 2017. That is not Roosevelt Poplar. Roosevelt Poplar is a genuine human being who was much more interested in public safety than he is in politics, and is a benefit and asset to the city.”
Dugan told City & State PA that you're “the worst thing that has ever happened to Philadelphia and that you're the worst person to ever be elected in Philly.” He said: “You're a guy from the suburbs who has no clue what it's like to go to Overbrook High School or Lincoln High School or ride the L.” But at the same time, Dugan appears to be promising similar progressive policies against mass incarceration if he's elected. So what do you make of this criticism and what do you think Philly looks like under Pat Dugan as D.A.?
“Once again, we're getting back to Trump-ville. I am from inner-city St. Louis. I repeat: inner-city, St. Louis, Missouri, Pat Dugan. I went to public school in inner-city St. Louis, Missouri. I went to public school in the Philadelphia area in different locations. Pat Dugan went to St. Joe's Prep. Did you hear the word ‘Prep’? I heard the word ‘Prep.’ That is not a public school. You know, I mean, do you want a chief prosecutor who is so willing to trade in untruths?... Is that what you want? Do you want a liar? We already have one in the White House.”
➕ Former Judge Pat Dugan will be on City Cast Philly and in this Hey Philly newsletter next Wednesday, so subscribe and stay tuned. He has plenty to say about Krasner’s criticisms and prosecutorial record.
