August 21-27, 2003

the bell curve

City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

Police officer is told she'll be fired if she wears her Muslim headgear on the job. Apparently, wearing an unusual hat is worse than fixing tickets or covering up DUI incidents involving other cops. Minus 7

Sam Katz shows support at rally for police officer fired for breaking a man’s nose during an arrest. Said Katz, “Give the guy a break. All he did was beat the shit out of someone. It’s not like he wore an unusual hat or anything.” Minus 1

City begins removing illegally placed advertising from telephone and utility poles. In Bella Vista, an old lady sits at a table and wonders why no one's coming by to purchase her souvenir ashtrays. Plus 1

With violent crime increasing, Operation Safe Streets switches back prominent postings of police officers at known drug corners. And now they're rounding up anybody in a messy, hand-painted T-shirt. Plus 3

Philadelphia Zoo shuts down its Children's Petting Zoo and African farmyard exhibits after two children who visited come down with E. coli. But the Candy Store/Please Touch Goat Feces display remains open for business. Minus 3

Philly stays lit while most of the Northeastern U.S. and parts of Canada suffer enormous blackout. Philadelphians know, blackouts are sooo early last week. Plus 10

T-shirt-maker praised by Mayor Street is arrested for dealing drugs. Street doesn’t notice, as he is busy praising Ira Einhorn for drawing a pretty picture. Even

Experts say Canadian geese who live near the airport must be killed to ensure they won't interfere with the planes. "Look," say geese. "We're geese. Just shoo us away or something, eh?" Minus 2

Total pluses: 14

Total minuses: 13

Score for the week: 1

Last week’s score: 6

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