There's good news a-brewin' if you're really into death and destruction -- the crime rate in Philly is up for 2005. Woohoo!

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, at the rate we're going (more than one homicide per day) we could easily exceed 380 murders by the end of the year -- the most since 1997.

"Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson blames the increase in Philadelphia on the availability of guns, which are involved in about 80 percent of homicides in the city."

Earlier this year, Commissioner Johnson initiated a study of Chicago to find out how they managed to decrease homicides by 25% in one year, and city officials sought special legislation to fight gun violence. Mayor John Street appointed a special gun czar.