Posted on 1 Comment

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.

Posted on

Northwood Civic Maintains Adams and the Boulevard

Junior, Frank and Joe

Again this month, the Northwood Civic was out at the intersection of Adams Avenue and the Boulevard on a hot Saturday morning cleaning up  that piece of property which is the gateway to Northwood.

Since the owner and the city choose to ignore it, Northwood volunteers rise to the occasion.  Thanks to Frank Bennett, Joe Krause, Junior, Mary’s boyfriend and the Cedeño family for making this a better place to live.

 

Posted on

Northwood Civic Meeting Scheduled for July 3rd Cancelled

From Joe Krause, President of the Northwood Civic Association:

The special meeting for July 3rd concerning 949 Foulkrod has been cancelled due to the proximity of the July 4th holiday. The board members do not feel that the turnout would be sufficient due to vacation schedules. We will resolve this issue at our regular general meeting on July 17th.

Posted on

Northwood Civic Doubles Membership

The Northwood Civic Association meeting ran overtime with a full plate of issues on Tuesday, June 19th.  Joe Krause opened the meeting.  It was noted that membership has doubled in the Civic Association in the last few months.  The minutes from last month were read and a verbal treasurers report was given.

1142 Kenwyn Street (Kenwyn and Horrocks)

1142 Kenwyn Street

The Northwood Civic board took emergency action after last months meeting when residents reported that the property was open to vandals and attracting problems. They cleaned it up and sealed it with new locks.  The realtor who is handling the property has been advised of the deed restriction so that it does not become a rental.

4834 Penn Street (Penn and Harrison Streets)

Although this property is not in Northwood, it is too close to ignore.  A population of 36 men in drug recovery only one block from Frankford High School is intolerable.  Jason Dawkins, of Councilwoman Quinones-Sanchez staff, discussed the issues and strategy that the councilwoman’s office will be taking to oppose the use of this property for a drug rehab.  Northwood Civic will work with Frankford.

5030 Oxford Avenue Sheriff Sale Delayed

The property had been listed for Sheriff Sale but it is off the list.  The owner says they have a possible renter.  More news on that issue next month.

949 Foulkrod Street Deed Restriction Violation

949 Foulkrod Street

The Board has surveyed the Northwood deed restricted area and found some owners in violation of the restriction.  However, the most significant violation is an owner who is renting a single family home to multiple families.  The board recommends that the Civic file suit against the owner for compliance with the deed restriction.  There will be a Northwood Civic meeting on July 3rd at 7PM at St. James for the specific purpose of having a membership vote on the issue.  All voting members are urged to attend.

Northwood Town Watch

Tom McAvoy, President of the Town Watch, reported the they are still organizing and are looking for new members.  At present they will be the eyes and ears for reports of problems.  No patrols will be undertaken at this stage.  The email for the Town Watch is nwtownwatch@hotmail.com.

Report on PSA1 Meeting

Frank Bennett reported that the board attended the PSA1 meeting in May.  He noted that the answer to why there are no patrols in Northwood is that the police are too busy answering calls to do much patrolling.  He noted that in some parts of the city, neighbors have organized to hire private security companies to provide that service.  If enough households got together, it could be cost effective.

Thanks to Joe Menkevich

Frank Bennett went on the record with a thank you to Joe Menkevich for all the work he has done in the last few weeks on the deed restriction in Northwood.  His research has been extensive and invaluable.

The next meeting of the Northwood Civic will be on July 3rd at 7Pm at St. James Lutheran Church, Castor Ave. and Pratt Street.