Since 2007, victims waited for justice against four Philadelphia narcotics officers accused of cutting wires to surveillance cameras before raiding nearly two dozen bodegas, trashing the stores, stealing money and harassing owners. One officer was accused of forging evidence for a warrant and another was accused of sexual assault against three women.

But last week, Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey announced that federal and local prosecutors decided not to file criminal charges against the officers, who could now return to the streets after years of desk duty. 

On Tuesday, Danilo Burgos, candidate for state representative in the 197th district and co-founder of the Philadelphia Association of Dominican Grocery Store Owners, called for action outside of City Hall along with business owners and Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez. Burgos demanded an explanation from authorities to victims of the police raids as well as the establishment of an independent police oversight board to avoid corruption within the department.

A Philadelphia Inquirer article cited that weak witnesses and lack of evidence may have been one of the reasons that prosecutors did not pursue the case against the four officers. However, Burgos questioned whether victims were even asked testify before the grand jury.

"It is still incomprehensible that no charges are going to be brought after several years," Burgos said. "The victims need answers from both federal and local authorities."