by KYW's vice president and general manager David Yadgaroff

Philadelphia’s new top cop has raised expectations for a dramatic reduction in the city’s chilling pattern of violent crime. He should. That’s why he was hired.

Police commissioner Charles Ramsey has struck a responsive chord in the single element of his anti-crime plan that puts more eyes on the ground: officers on patrol in neighborhoods that have been plunged into drug-immersed enclaves of despair (see related news story).

But people who cling to hope in the midst of violence want to see men and women in blue walking their streets, meeting neighbors, understanding the dynamics, and identifying the troublemakers -- not just driving through.

Unfortunately the patrol car, not a pair of feet, offers police the greatest mobility to cover more ground. Hopefully they will be supported by enough officers on the beat to head off trouble before it takes root.

And Mayor Nutter’s action to delay residency requirements in police recruitment (see related news story) should help lure the best and brightest to the ranks of Philadelphia’s Finest.

But the next step must be a plan for the courts to keep pace, so that new law enforcement initiatives do not become a part of a catch-and-release system that might be fine for fish, but not for violent criminals.

 To submit a comment or reply to this editorial, send an e-mail to yadgaroff@KYW.com.