Another wave of deadly violence in Philadelphia. And the mayor, the district attorney, and the police commissioner are once again sounding like broken records. Their ceaseless and ineffective "Step Up and Speak Out" mantra is falling on deaf ears.

And for good reason. People have themselves been killed for fingering someone else's killer.

It’s time to stop badgering scared people and move fast to implement mayoralty candidate Michael Nutter’s "Stop and Frisk" plan.

Then, combine that with saturation surveillance cameras in high-crime areas, police foot patrols, an anonymous tipline, and an effective witness protection program to begin getting a grip on what has become a national tragedy.

Philadelphia has now become an icon for urban violence. The city’s signature "Love" sculpture is being replaced by the smoking gun.

And when so many people die, so does a part of the city.

Philadelphia can’t wait for an impotent state legislature to curb unconscionable gun-runners. It needs an all-out law enforcement surge.