This is the Facebook post at the center of the controversy, posted by Officer Michael Smerker last weekend.
"I don't understand why all black teenagers in West Philly (and I assume all over Philly as well) are instantly handed an access card (welfare card) and a cell phone with minutes as soon as they are teenagers,” he wrote. “It doesn't make sense!!! It gives them reason not to get a job. All it's doing is breeding laziness. Welfare was never supposed to be a career choice. I don't care to have my hard earned tax money given away to healthy teenagers who can get a job like I did when I was a teen."
Smerker took the status down three hours after posting it after receiving some negative feedback from other Facebook users. However, a screenshot was taken and NBC10 obtained a copy.