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Northwood Civic Association Nears Record Membership

Deputy Police Commissioner, Tom Wright

At the Northwood Civic Association meeting on September 18th, President Joe Krause announced that paid memberships are 93 at present.  This is up from single digits earlier this year.  This is the culmination of a membership drive conducted over the last few months.

In other news at the meeting:

  • Deputy Philadelphia Police Commissioner Tom Wright and Captain Frank Bachmayer commented on the Northwood Neighborhood Security Patrol.  They expressed some concerns about neighbors calling the patrol rather than 911 for crime situations.  Wright noted that staffing in the districts is driven by crime reports that come from 911.  All crimes should be reported to 911 since this is the only way the police are made aware of criminal activity.  Quality of life issues are just as important as major crimes and should be reported.  Even though a particular call may not see prompt police response due to higher priorities, the report itself is very important.
  • Harry Mearing of the Neighborhood Security Patrol gave a brief report on the activity since last month.  Now there are three patrol officers sharing the duties, seven days a week.
  • Nominations for the board elections will be made at next month’s meeting.  All offices are up for election and there are 3 vacant positions on the board now.  You must be a paid member to be nominated for election.
  • Tom McAvoy, President of the Northwood Town Watch needs more volunteers.  This is an eyes and ears organization.  No patrolling ins involved.  Contact Tom at nwtownwatch@hotmail.com
  • Frank Bennett noted that the last member of the board of directors of the Frankford Community Y appointed him to the board and then resigned leaving Bennett as the only board member.  He has control of the property and been in discussion with the bank holding the mortgage.  His plan is to build a new board for the Y to develop a business plan for the resurrection of the organization.  Those who would consider joining the board should contact Bennett at frank@bennettlaw.us
  • Candidates for State Representative will be invited to speak at next month’s meeting.  They were introduced:  John Taylor, Republican incumbent  State Representative in the 177 legislative district; William Dunbar, Democratic candidate opposing Taylor; James Clay, Democratic Candidate for State Representative in the 179 legislative district .

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic Association will be held on October 16th at 7PM at St. James Lutheran Church at Castor Ave. and Pratt Street.

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Burglary Alert from the Philadelphia Police Department

The 15th District would like to alert you to the increase in Residential Burglaries in your area. We want to make sure you are taking precautions to ensure you and your family remain safe. As always, and this may sound repetitive, you must always make sure your home is secure when you leave it and while you are in it. If you see anyone or anything suspicious call 911. If you have any information you would like to share, you can reach us at 215 686-3150 or 686-3151. You can do so anonymously and we will be most grateful.

If you would like to talk to our Crime Prevention Officer you can reach Police Officer Jennifer Coco at extension #5501 at either 215 685-8698 or e-mail: police.tlo_15@phila.gov

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Holiday Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

WITH THE HOLIDAYS APPROACHING QUICKLY, CAPTAIN FRANCIS J. BACHMAYER  AND OFFICERS OF THE 15TH DISTRICT WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR SINCERE WISHES FOR A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY.

TAKE A MINUTE TO REVIEW SOME “HOLIDAY CRIME PREVENTION TIPS”

  • WHEN COOKING FOR THE HOLIDAYS, NEVER LEAVE COOKING UNATTENDED
  • ALWAYS TURN POT HANDLES INWARD TO PREVENT SPILL INJURIES
  • KEEP OVENS CLEAN TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE
  • MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT USE THE OVEN TO HEAT THE HOUSE

HOME SAFETY

  • KEEP THE OUTSIDE OF YOUR HOME WELL-LIT WITH DOORS AND WINDOWS LOCKED
  • CHECK WATER LEVEL ON YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE  DAILY TO PREVENT DRYING OUT WHICH COULD LEAD TO A FIRE HAZARD
  • CAREFULLY INSPECT LIGHTS AND CORDS BEFORE USING THEM
  • DO NOT DISPLAY GIFTS BENEATH THE TREE THAT CAN BE SEEN FROM WINDOWS OR DOORS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS
  • DO NOT ADVERTISE GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE BOXES YOU PUT OUT IN YOUR WEEKLY COLLECTION.  DESTROY BOXES AND PLACE THEM IN NON-CLEAR GARBAGE BAGS
  • BE AWARE THAT CRIMINALS SOMETIMES POSE AS COURIERS DELIVERING GIFTS
  • CRIMINALS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GENEROSITY OF PEOPLE DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON BY SOLICITING DONATIONS DOOR TO DOOR FOR CHARITABLE CAUSES, ALTHOUGH NO CHARITY IS INVOLVED.  ASK FOR IDENTIFICATION AND FIND OUT HOW DONATED FUNDS WILL BE USED, ALL THE WHILE KEEPING SCREEN DOORS LOCKED,  ANY QUESTIONS CALL 911

SHOPPING SAFETY

  • TRY TO SHOP DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. IF NOT TRY TO HAVE SOMEONE SHOP WITH YOU AT NIGHTTIME
  • STAY ALERT TO YOUR SURROUNDINGS……WATCH FOR STRANGERS APPROACHING YOU FOR ANY REASON AT THIS TIME OF YEAR “CON-ARTISTS” MAY TRY VARIOUS METHODS OF DISTRACTING YOU WITH THE INTENTION OF TAKING MONEY OR BELONGINGS
  • AVOID CARRYING LARGE AMOUNTS OF CASH
  • DO NOT LEAVE PACKAGES OR VALUABLES ON YOUR CAR SEATS. LOCK THEM IN THE TRUNK
  • CHECK YOUR VEHICLE BEFORE GETTING INTO IT FOR SUSPICIOUS PEOPLE HIDING NEAR OR IN IT
  • NEVER LEAVE YOUR CAR UNOCCUPIED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING OR WITH CHILDREN INSIDE

AS ALWAYS IF YOU SEE ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY CALL 911

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A Fall Day in Frankford

Saturday was one of those days we were waiting for after all the rain and then the chill of the past few weeks.  It was also a busy day in Frankford with more events than I could hope to cover.

So first I stopped by the flea market sponsored by the parents of Mastery Charter School Smedley Elementary at Wissinoming Park.  It was a beautiful morning and I found quite a few folks looking at the goods even that early.

Next stop was the Smedley building which is under construction of the new classrooms.  The 15th District PDAC and the 15th District police officers were putting on a time for the kids.  There was a great crowd of kids, parents, cops and PDAC folks there.  If you look closely you will see Captain Bachmayer himself.