The things we do for love.

The murder rate here in Philly continues to rise. Four people were shot-one fatally-within several hours of each other today alone (Which reminds me, I have to update my "Killadelphia" murder count). And there is no end in sight.

But now as we approach Valentine's Day let me hip you to a very disturbing trend here in my hometown: It seems that many of our women here are buying their ex con boyfriends fire arms as gifts. Some of their par amours have three four and five criminal convictions, and because they are banned from owning hand guns, their sweeties take it upon themselves to get the ideal gift for the love of their lives.

If they just met, the lady in the former felons life might buy him a Walther P-22 semi automatic or some shit. But if that women really loves her man, she might get him a Glock-17 (9mm), just to show she cares. And if there might be wedding bells in their immediate future, I am sure a 45 ACP Luger would not be out of the question.

The sad thing is that a lot of these women are risking arrest and serious jail time. Straw purchasing of firearms (buying guns for the purpose of reselling them or giving them to someone else) is illegal, and given the climate of violence in this city, you can best believe that the DA's office and the feds are not in the mood to play nice.

So ladies, as Valentines Day approaches, if you want to get a nice gift for the love of your life; you might want to consider a watch or a nice piece of jewelry. It will keep your man out of trouble, and ultimately, you out of jail.

Can we at least keep our children safe?

Sometime last year Djuan Boyd was shot by an unknown assailant. Given Djuan's line of work that was to be expected. According to police reports Djuan Boyd has an extensive criminal record, and he actually served time for a drug arrest in 2004. As the story goes, Djuan became paranoid and started packing a cannon everywhere he went.


Fast forward to 2007, and the tragic death of Mr. Boyd's four year old son in his Grandmother's Southwest Philly home. Sadly, Mr. Boyd chose to play cards with his friends, while his four year old son, Dyshon, was left unattended. Mr. Boyd had a loaded 9 mm Glock in his coat pocket and casually hung it in an upstairs bedroom. Left unattended, little Dyshon found the gun, and, well, you can imagine what happened next. The poor kid shot himself in the throat and later died at Children's Hospital.


To add insult to injury, or I should say death. Mr. Boyd chose to throw the gun out the window and hide the magazine. (it's still missing) Fortunately the authorities found the gun and charged Mr. Boyd with involuntary manslaughter and some lessor charges.



This is the kind of environment we are creating for our children. This is the world we are giving them to live in. I have said this before, but it's worth repeating: If people are going to be just sperm donors and not real parents, what's the point in having children in the first place? If you can play cards and party with your friends while you know you have a loaded Glock and a four year old in your house, you might as well pull the trigger yourself.


Reading this story and the one about Alexis Goggins, almost brought tears to my eyes. And believe me, given the shit that I have seen, and continue to see on a daily basis, that's not easy to do.



"Nahairah Jaamar, little Dyshon's cousin, had this to say about Mr. Boyd: " [he was] a great father" to Dyshon. "Everywhere you saw Dyshon, his father wasn't far behind.
He gave Dyshon the world."



Sorry Nahairah, he took his world from him way too soon.