Compared to Chicago, Philly Looking Calm

Philadelphia is on track to register the most homicides since the 262 in a bloody 2007, including Saturday's tragic shooting death of an off-duty city police officer. Stories of other violent crimes seem to lead evening newscasts on a regular basis.

Look west, though, for a little perspective. Over the weekend in Chicago - that's just over the weekend as in Friday night to Sunday - six people were killed and 19 were wounded in shootings in the city.

A lot of cities, including Philadelphia, are seeing population growth for the first time in decades. Violence like this, however, can only serve to stem the tide. When looking for solutions, the typical responses involve gun control or more spending on police resources, but are either a real option in today's political climate?