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Community Police Meeting at St. Marks

Reported by Joe Taylor of the 15th Police District Advisory Council (PDAC).

The first  in person 15th Police District PSA1 meeting IN OVER A YEAR was hosted by St. Mark’s Church on Thursday July 8th.  Captain Walker was on vacation so, Lt. John Venit conducted the meeting.  Topics of discussion were many:

  • Fireworks.  They are legal in Pennsylvania but not in Philadelphia.  Fireworks are only allowed with a permit and cannot be used within 150 Feet of an occupied building.
  •  Dumping of tires. G. M. and T. K. talked about the tires being dumped Behind the Salvation Army bldg. on Griscom St. They said the landlord of the bldg. where Family Dollar is located, they have seen some of his hired workers dumping the tires.   They have stacked all of the tires nice and neat. Lt Venit will drive by and check it out.
  • Greg Bucceroni, mentioned for dumped tires call 911. This way the event is logged into the system then submit a request to 311 with a photo about the tires.
  • Talked about the heavy foot traffic in the St. Mark’s Parking lot around 4:00AM.  They are all well dressed, going to a store on the 4400 block of Frankford ave.  Has also seen some drug deals going down at the entrance to the church parking lot.
  • Dirt bikes and four-wheel quads. They are illegal to drive on Philadelphia Streets.
    City working on changing the law to cover all dirt bikes and quads.  Lt Vinit mentioned they are not allowed to chase these individual.  If the dirt bike or quad is parked on the street or sidewalk then they can impound dirt bike or quad.
  • Lt. Venit advised if any business would like to have a police officer stop by, then send the Company name and address and ask to have a patrol officer stop in occasionally.
  • The Capuchin Franciscan Friars at the Padre Pio Prayer Center on Church Street  sent in a message about 1520 Church St. that was turned into apartments. Many people coming and going. Seems like something is going on at this place.
  • Request to obtain a key to lock down playgrounds after 10 PM.  Greg B. mentioned that it is usually the maintenance people that have the key for locking playgrounds.
  • Old school bus that is no longer owned by any school bus system. The bus is parked on Oxford Ave.  Outside of Frankford High School. It has been vandalized and homeless now living in the bus.
  • Group of Dominican boys hanging out in the Northwood area playing music.  Quality of life issue. Lt. Venit mentioned the last time they arrested these boys none of them lived in the Frankford Area.

The next 15th District PSA1 meeting will be held at a date and time to be announced.

 

 

 

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Frankford CDC Is Hiring

Would you or someone you know be interested in joining our  team? We’re currently looking to hire a new Commercial Corridor Manager and Corridor Cleaners! See descriptions below. To apply, email your resume and cover letter (Word document or PDF) to info@frankfordcdc.org with the applicable job title in the subject heading.  Please see job descriptions below.

 

Commercial Corridor Manager

 Position Function
The corridor manager will be expected to cultivate relationships with a diverse business and client base, deliver services to businesses and entrepreneurs, make referrals, and help businesses navigate city departments and programs.

Qualifications
A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree in urban planning, economic development, or related field is preferred. A minimum of two years of community and development related experience preferred. Volunteer/intern work experience will be considered in lieu of paid work experience. Qualified candidate must work with a diverse population, exhibit strong written and verbal communication skills, be familiar with Microsoft Office, Zoom, and Google Drive.

Duties + Responsibilities

  • Maintain relationships/contacts with local businesses owners and business association members and other organizations along the Frankford Avenue business corridor.
  • Serve as a liaison between local business owners and City departments.
  • Provide assistance to business owners for City Grant Applications (Storefront Improvement Program, InStore Program, etc).
  • Contribute quarterly articles for the organization’s newsletter for events involving the commercial corridor, businesses resources, and business association meetings.
  • Maintain resource library for businesses along with existing business database.
  • Coordinate and execute all special events for Frankford Pause Park Programming
  • Responsible for quarterly reporting of all activities in the established format.
  • Participate in community engagement outreach to residents and business owners about Frankford CDC events and programing.
  • Attend community meetings facilitated by other organizations in Frankford.
  • Compile a commercial property database for properties along the commercial corridor.
  • Other duties as requested by the Executive Director.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Must be able to relate effectively with community residents.

Work Environment and Primary Work Locations
Must be flexible to work on evening and some weekend activities. The primary location will be the designated agency at which the program operates. The work environment may include other venues at which the program may have activities such as health fairs, job fairs, and/or housing fairs.  *Subject to change due to COVID*

Physical Considerations
Moderate physical exertion required (walking). Must have the ability to engage in door-to-door outreach/canvassing.

Starting Salary Range
$34,000 – $36,000 + Benefits

 

Corridor Cleaning Assistant

The Frankford CDC’s Corridor Cleaning Assistance program assist in the cleaning of sidewalks on the Frankford Avenue commercial corridor. Under this program, FCDC
also undertakes public space maintenance activities, litter reduction campaigns and community engagement.

Duties of Corridor Cleaning Assistants:

  • Clean the sidewalks and out to eighteen (18) inches in the streets; this area shall cover the curb and storm inlets.
  • Clean all four (4) corners of any intersection found at the end of cleaning routes;
  • Clean a minimum of twenty (20) feet along any secondary side streets that intersect with the primary commercial streets to be cleaned;
  • Ensure that weeds or grass are no higher than eight (8) inches on all sidewalks along each route;
  • Remove posters, stickers and other debris off street furniture including parking, telephone poles and traffic signs; and
  • Assist with cleaning and maintenance of other public spaces and vacant lots on Frankford Avenue
  • Assist with promotion of litter reduction campaigns and community engagement
  • Assist with promotion and distribution of COVID-19 related resources for small business along Frankford Avenue
  • Track number of blocks cleaned and number of bags used during cleaning.
  • Make 311 reports for all city related issues (i.e. graffiti, potholes, illegal dumping, etc.)

The above activities shall be performed in the commercial area from the 4200 block to the 5200 block of Frankford Avenue.

Starting Salary 
$15/ hr

 

Neighborhood Energy Center Coordinator

The Frankford CDC’s Neighborhood Energy Center Coordinator will be responsible for providing comprehensive energy services to low-income households.

Services to be provided include:

  • Intake for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
  • Intake or referral to Crisis;
  • Utility bill payment assistance programs including: the Philadelphia Gas Works Workshop Program, energy counseling Weatherization Assistance Program, energy education; and other energy related service
  • Starting Salary – $15/hr 
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Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum’s New Location

After 63 years in our current building, we are excited to announce that the Grand Army of the Republic Civil War Museum, the only museum in the Philadelphia area solely dedicated to the remembrance of the history of the Civil War, has a new historic home at 8110 Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA.
 
We are very pleased to have been able to relocate to another certified historic building in a far more accessible area of the city. 
 
To accomplish the immense task of moving the museum to our new location we will need your assistance and financial support
 
Packing and moving will be a monumental task over the next few months which will require the help of many.  If you can give some time as a volunteer to assist with the move, please contact the Museum by replying to this message:  garmuslib1866@gmail.com
 
The cost of archival packing and storage materials plus the additional cost of the actual move are quite extensive.  We require certified archival materials to assure that our historic collection is properly protected.  Please consider donating to the museum to support our efforts as we begin the move to our new location.
 
As a 503(C)3 non-profit organization, all donations payable to the “GAR Museum” are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.  Donations should continue to be sent to our current address, GAR Civil War Museum, 4278 Griscom Street, Philadelphia, PA 19124.
 
As of July 2, the Museum will be closed.  The Archive and Library will be open for research by appointment only.  We look forward to opening in the fall.
 
We invite you to become a part of the next chapter of the Museum’s history. 
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Senior Center Doors to Swing Open Again

The long wait is finally over! 

The Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center is thrilled to announce that it reopened on Monday, June 28, 2021 at 9 a.m.  The Center is located at 4744 Frankford Avenue.

Pursuant to guidelines provided by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, initially the Center will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (but will be closed on Monday, July 5th).  Current members can attend a morning session or an afternoon session on those days; however, attendance at both sessions on the same day is prohibited.  Bingo will be held during the morning sessions, and an exercise or health and wellness activity will be offered during the afternoon sessions.  Limited table games will also be available at both sessions.  Anyone who uses CCT Services for transportation must attend the morning session.  Please contact the Center directly for information regarding changing current or establishing future transportation services at 215-831-2926.

The morning session will be held from 9 AM-12 noon, and a grab-and-go lunch will be provided to take home.  The afternoon session will be held from 1 PM-3PM.; breakfast should be eaten before coming to the Center.  As in the morning session, a grab-and-go lunch will be provided to take home.  The Center is currently not permitted to operate its dining room and kitchen.  On Tuesdays and Thursdays when the Center is closed for maintenance, grab-and-go lunches will be available for pick up.  As things progress to full-time hours of operations, it is anticipated that daily hot lunch service will also return.

Everyone who enters the building will be screened for symptoms of COVID 19, and anyone exhibiting symptoms will be required to leave.  Members and staff will be required to wear masks at all times, and a daily Health Status Form must be completed.  Social distancing guidelines will be observed.

The Senior Center is grateful for the opportunity to work with its members again and looks forward to welcoming new members throughout the year.  For a minimal annual fee of $10.00 members are offered an array of daily services and activities, including health and wellness activities, bingo, special events, use of computers and exercise equipment, and birthday/holiday celebrations, as well as enjoying social interaction with their peers.  Anyone interested in becoming a member should call the Center at 215-831-2926 to make arrangements.

The Peter Bressi Northeast Senior Center is designed to enhance the quality of life for senior citizens through social, recreational, educational and social service programs.  The Center is funded by the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and is a community service project operated by the Northeast Community Center for Behavioral Health.

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Help These Kids Get to the AAU junior Olympics

My good friend, Lenny Jaynes, regularly graces our page with poems but Lenny is more than a poet.  He has spent years working with young people at the Philadelphia Express Track Club.

The club is raising funds to send their team to humble, Texas for the 2021 AAU Junior Olympics.  It would mean the world to these kids to be able to participate.

Every donation is welcome but $100 or more will get you a framed copy of one of Lenny’s most popular poems.

Thanks in advance for your donation to this worthy cause.  Click on this link to download the donation form.