Nutter declares crime emergency in Philadelphia

After being sworn in as the city's 98th mayor, Michael Nutter in his first official act signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency.

The order, effective immediately, directs new police Commissioner Charles Ramsey to determine what is behind Philadelphia's "crime crisis."

Nutter said the order directs Ramsey, who was also sworn in to office today, to develop a plan to make Philadelphia safer.

Ramsey is to submit the plan to Nutter by January 30.

"I don't think you have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out we have a serious crime problem," the mayor said. "We are nowhere [near] where we should be, we have a crime crisis."

He did not elaborate on more specifics of the order. But when asked it the order would trigger more federal or state aid, Nutter said no.

He added that he has spoken with state and federal officials about the city's crime problem.

Earlier, during his inaugural address at the Academy of music this morning, Nutter delivered an impassioned speech that took aim at crime, promised honest government, and declared the dawning of a "new Philadelphia."

"We will cut our homicide rate by 30 to 50 percent. No reason in the world we can't do that," he said.

Then his voice grew loud as Nutter declared, "Enough is enough! Enough is enough!" to thunderous applause from the assembled dignitaries, supporters and friends gathered at the Academy of Music.

"To the law-abiding citizens of Philadelphia, I say that we are the majority. ... This is our city and we're taking it back."

He laid out a series of goals to lower the dropout rate, create a more educated workforce, make the streets safer, and attract more businesses.

"We can do this! We can do this! We must do this! We must do this!" he said.

"Today, we make change and reform real. Ladies and gentlemen the renaissance period of Philadelphia got started about a half-hour ago," he said, as he finished with stirring words about "greatest American city turnaround in the past 50 years."

At one point in his 40-minute speech, Nutter quoted the late Robert Kennedy, conveying the message that individual actions together can break down barriers.

Nutter also cautioned that "the government cannot solve every person's problems, every day of the week."

Later in the day, after members of his cabinet were sworn in at the mayor's reception room at City Hall, Nutter, in his first act as mayor, signed three executive orders, incldung the crime emergency.

The other orders reaffirmed his commitment to a transparent government, establishing the job of chief integrity officer and the third order officially established a new government structure to better coordinate city departments.

After signing the orders, Nuttter in a press conference, said of his new role as mayor: "I had alot of emotion on that stage today. I'm just a kid from 55th and Larchwood. It's alot of responsibility."

Earlier in the day -- at 10:50 a.m. - Council President Anna Verna introduced "the Honorable Mayor-elect Michael Nutter." With that, there was a standing ovation from the crowd that filled all the levels of the Academy of Music.

Nutter was visibly moved as the crowd enthusiastically greeted him as stood to the side of the podium where he would be sowrn in.

Nutter was then joined by his wife, Lisa, and two children, Olivia and Christian. Nutter then was joined by U.S. Circuit Judge Theodore A. McKee at the podium. He placed his hand on a Bible held by daughter, Olivia, and within minutes was the new mayor of Philadelphia.

Before that, Nutter stood with head bowed, flanked by former Mayors Rendell and Street, as the Rev. Albert Campbell of Mount Carmel Baptist Church shared a prayer with many in attendance at the Academy of Music, where the inauguration ceremonies are being held.

The ceremony begins a day of events that will conclude with a gala tonight at the Cruise Ship Terminal at the Navy Yard.

Earlier today at the Academy, Tony Radwanski, communications director for Council President Anna Verna, said he had never seen such interest in an inauguration in his 35 years in city service.

"Michael has struck a chord," said Radwanski, who described himself as "an army of one when it came to credentialling."

Radwanski received calls from journalists as far away as China.

How many calls did he get? "I lost track at 170 on Friday."

About 9:30, Shalea Nicholson, 17, of Germantown stood in a crowd of young people at Broad and Locust.

"Normally, I watch the inauguration on TV," she Nicholson, a senior at Carver High School of Engineering and Science. She was with other students selected from across the city as guests of the incoming administration.

Nutter's brother-in-law, Brian Johnson, a volunteer with the inaugural team, said the invitation illustrates Nutter's commitment to mentoring.

The students are scheduled to attend a mentorship luncheon with mayor about 1:30 today.

"I've never been to a ceremony like this," said Britny Sharky, 17, a senior at Roxborough High.

Vocalist Evelyn Fordham Goodman, who sang "Ordinary People" after Nutter's address said of her song selection: "The message is just people.It talks about plain old people doing things, and that is what government is about."

The 10 a.m. swearing-in ceremony began with an invocation offered by Cardinal Justin Rigali, and the Philadelphia Boys Choir sang "The Star-Spangled Banner."

In 15 years as a councilman, Nutter earned a reputation for independence and as an advocate for reform. As he campaigned, he beat the drum for a safer, cleaner city - and trustworthy government. He is expected to reiterate those themes in his inaugural speech.

Much hope has been pinned on the new administration as the city struggles with violent crime and a need to evolve from its past role as an industrial hub into the vibrant center of a 21st-century metropolitan area.

Nutter also faces the negotiation of municipal union contracts, set to expire June 30. He has said he would be "firm but fair" in those dealings.

But this morning begins the honeymoon.

At the ceremony, sponsored by City Council, the president judge of Philadelphia Common Pleas Court - C. Darnell Jones 2d - also administered the oath of office to council's 17 members, whose support Nutter will need to accomplish his goals. The ceremony also included the investiture of other elected officials: judiciary members, city commissioners, judge of traffic court, sheriff, register of wills, and clerk of quarter-sessions.

Nutter at City Hall also witnessed his senior administration officials take an oath of service to Philadelphia.

Among those vowing to work for a better city was Charles H. Ramsey, named to serve as police commissioner at a time when the shootings of civilians and police officers dominate headlines. Camille Barnett will not be sworn in today as managing director. Her husband, Jim, died in a car accident on his way to Philadelphia on Thursday night. His funeral is scheduled for tomorrow in Washington, D.C.

Nutter will cap his first day as mayor with a celebration tonight at the Cruise Ship Terminal at the Navy Yard. The setting stands as a symbol of the city's industrial past and its aspirations for the future, especially for its Delaware and Schuylkill riverfronts.