Nutter has harsh words for candidates who want Ramsey out

CENTER CITY (WPVI) -- Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter had some harsh words for the candidate hoping to replace him today - even questioning whether some are fit to run the city.

He was speaking at an annual remembrance for officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty.

Concerning the police, the mayor had sharp words for those who have been critical of a certain police policy and the commissioner.

"When folks just want to run their mouths to score political points, speak to a constituency in this kind of environment, I have to speak out," he said.

Mentioning no one by name, the mayor told those attending today's memorial service he wanted to set the record straight concerning verbal attacks on the Police Department, on the department's controversial "stop and frisk" policy, and Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

Here is what was said last night at 6abc's debate by Mayoral hopefuls Anthony Williams and Milton Street:

Milton Street said, "Number one, Commissioner Ramsey's out of here."

State Senator Anthony Williams said, "People have to be replaced when they stand for a policy that people in the community simply don't trust."

Concerning stop and frisk, the mayor reminded everyone it has passed constitutional muster.

He implied it could have made a difference in the most recent line of duty death in Philadelphia, the gun battle that claimed the life of Sgt. Robert Wilson last March.

The mayor told the crowd, "When two cowards took target practice at Sgt. Robert Wilson, I know we wish we would have been able to get those guns away from those people who shot down our officers on the streets of this city."

As for those who want to see Ramsey go, the mayor had some choice words.

"Anyone who is not smart enough to at least ask him to stay is probably not smart enough to run this city," Nutter said.

Following the mayor's statement, Action News spoke with Milton Street, who says stop and frisk in Philadelphia, as it's been applied, has generated a number of civil liberty complaints since the commissioner has been the man in charge for the last seven years. He still maintains Ramsey has to go.

And at a quickly called availability, Anthony Williams had this response to the mayor: "Mayor Nutter ran to implementing stop and frisk, and I'm running to end it. Chief Ramsey was Mayor Nutter's pick to implement it, and in order to transform the culture of the police department there needs to be change, and that change starts now."

Commissioner Ramsey was asked today, if there was a new mayor elected, other than Williams or Street, would he consider staying on if asked. He said, rather diplomatically, that's not something he would talk about in public - that would be something for a private conversation between he and the person asking."