Tag: PSA 1

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PSA Meeting for December

There was no police presence and no explanation as to why they were not at the meeting on December 18th at Aria Hospital.  Residents attending were not happy.  The group discussed issues among themselves.

One long time resident reports there is a new generation of drug salesmen at Filmore and Tackawanna.  Another resident reported that the teens that had been hanging behind the houses on the 1300 block of Foulkrod have not turned up again since it was reported at the last meeting.  Thanks to the police for taking action.

The next PSA! meeting listed on the 15th district web site is January 15th.  However, Pete Specos, PSA1 coordinator,  announced that it will be on January 22nd.  When we get that straightened out we’ll post a notice.

We looked back over this year to see what the level of police participation has been at the PSA meetings.  The results are listed below.

December  – no police
November – cancelled
October – Captain McCloskey
September – Captain McCloskey
August –  Captain McCloskey
July – cancelled
June – Captain McCloskey
May – no police
April – no police till 8PM when Lt Burton showed up late
March – Captain McCloskey
February – no record (was showing it scheduled for 2/12 but then nothing must have been cancelled)
January – Officer Andrews

 

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Frankford Civic December Meeting

There were no zoning cases to discuss at the meeting with about 20 people in the room at Aria Hospital on December 4th but there was a lively discussion about the issues of voting and citizen participation.  Due to changes at Aria Hospital, the Civic meeting will move to the first Wednesday of the month starting on January 7th, 2015.

The next PSA meeting will be held on December 18th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.  Captain McCloskey will be there to discuss the recent shootings on the 4700 block of Penn Street.  The issue of why know drug corners are allowed to continue in operation and what is being done about that is on the agenda.  Come out and hear it first hand from the Captain.

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PSA1 Meeting for September

PSA1 met on Thursday September 27th with a good sized crowd numbering over 30.  Captain McCloskey lead off with an update of the most recent crime problems.  The homicide of an innocent young mother and child were on everyone’s mind.

  • Drug activity is ongoing on the 5000 and 4700 blocks of Griscom Street.  The police are aware of the players.
  • Worth Street near Orthodox is still full of drug activity.
  • Joe Krause, president of Northwood Civic made the captain aware of an upcoming hot spot that needs attention in Northwood.
  • There is also a problem with unregistered cars being parked on the streets in Northwood.  311 calls are made for that situation.
  • Residents are concerned about sales of K2 (artificial marijuana) and “loosies” in some stores on Frankford Avenue.  Sales of “loosies” should be reported to 311.

The Captain says he has not yet see the formal policy on the new marijuana laws that would make possession of small amounts a minor offense punishable by a $25 ticket.

On the proposal to split L&I into two departments, he says if it happens it could be beneficial if inspectors were assigned to specific divisions.  They would get to know the area better.  That would help establish better relationships between the police and L&I and facilitate getting things done faster when an urgent need arises.

The issue of alternating the PSA between Frankford and Bridesburg every other month was raised by Pete Specos.  McCloskey said that it probably would not be an improvement because each community has very different needs.  They are working on a way of meeting the needs of residents in the Burg in another way outside of the PSA.

Veronica Daniel, designed a form for participants to use to provide information to the police at the PSA meeting.  We will publish a link to it for download when it is available.

The next PSA meeting will be held at Aria Hospital on Thursday, October 30th at 7PM.

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City of Philadelphia Commerce SafeCam Program

At last month’s PSA meeting the Commerce SafeCam Program was discussed.  One resident mentioned that this program exists although Captain McCloskey was not sure if it was in operation.  Further research by the activist resident found the details below.  It only applies to businesses.  The purpose is to get more businesses to install video cameras which can then be used by the police in crime investigation.  It becomes a partnership.  See the details below.  There are links to more information and the application.

Program Description

The purpose of the Commerce SafeCam Program is to encourage businesses and property owners within the City of Philadelphia to install surveillance cameras, making areas safer for shoppers and the community while growing their vitality and economic performance. The program reimburses owners of commercial buildings and businesses up to 50% of the total cost of eligible improvements, for a maximum reimbursement of $3,000 for a single commercial property. The digital camera security system must be installed on the outside of your building providing surveillance for your business and the public space.

 

Eligible Applicants

Applicants must be the owner of a commercially occupied property or an operating tenant business with approval of the property owners or an established business association or community based organization representing a number of businesses in a particular area. Applicants must be operating legally, properly registered, licensed with the City of Philadelphia and current with all City obligations, including but not limited to taxes, licenses, water revenue billings, as well as any assessments due to Business/Neighborhood Improvement Districts. Unoccupied properties may be considered but must be occupied or have a signed lease agreement to be eligible for reimbursement.

 

Eligible Equipment

All surveillance system equipment shall be subject to review and approval by the Philadelphia Police Department and requirements may vary by business type and property. The following are the minimum specifications required for a Commerce Safecam Program award.

 

CAMERAS

1. IP-enabled.

2. Operate with a minimum of 480 Total Vertical Lines (TVL) of resolution.

3. Capable of recording color images during sufficient lighting and recording black and white images during hours of low light.

4. Tailored to each Eligible Property taking into consideration:

the distance to the target image;

the “lux rating” or compatibility with the amount of light available to include excessive amounts of sunlight; and

the view angle of camera in relation to area of desired coverage.

5. Have a clear and unobstructed view of outside areas of desired coverage.

 

DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDINGS (DVR) or NETWORK VIDEO RECORDINGS (NVR)

1. DVRs must have one dedicated channel for each camera in operation.

2. Record at least 640 X 480 recording resolution levels.

3. Have the capacity to record at least fifteen (15) frames per second, per camera.

4. Have sufficient memory to retain data from all cameras for a period of at least fifteen (15) days. Possess the ability to view and retrieve data while the system remains in operation.

5. Possess the ability to produce a copy of desired data for evidentiary purposes.

6. Be placed in a locked and secured location to prevent destruction or tampering.

 

Application Process

1. Contact Philadelphia Department of Commerce at 215-683-2172 to request an application. The application will require:

a. Photos of your building clearly showing where surveillance camera will be located, and at least one photo showing the entire front façade of your building.

b. Estimates from two (2) licensed contractors detailing camera specifications.

c. A letter from building owner (if this is not you) granting permission for the proposed work.

 

2. Completed applications should be delivered to Linda Lawrence, Dept. of Commerce, 1515 Arch Street, 12th floor, Phila, PA 19102 or Linda.Lawrence@phila.gov. The applicant will be notified that the application has been received and whether anything is missing. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

3. Philadelphia Department of Commerce will send an award letter, specifying amount of reimbursement. Once received, the applicant can proceed with application for electrical permit, purchase and installation.

4. Once the cameras are installed they must be registered with the Philadelphia Police Department SafeCam crime prevention and investigating tool. https://safecam.phillypolice.com/registration

5. When registration is complete, submit copies of invoices, proof of payment, copy of a passing final electrical inspection certification, color photos of the installed cameras, and a copy of SafeCam registration to the Dept. of Commerce and a reimbursement check will be mailed out.

Additional Program Requirements

  • Economic Opportunity: As part of Mayor Nutter’s Strategic Plan for this Administration, a goal to create and retain jobs by fostering an improved business environment has been established. One of the strategies designed to achieve this end is strengthening supports to minority, women, and disabled residents and businesses. All applicants certify to make “best and good faith efforts” to include businesses owned and controlled by minority persons (MBEs), women (WBEs) and disabled persons (DSBEs) in their projects. In excercise of “best and good faith efforts” applicants for this program must solicit MBEs, WBEs and DSBEs for participation in the project. Potential M/W/DSBE project participants can be found in the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Economic Opportunity Directory of Certified Firms. Contact OEO at 215-686-6232 or review the online directory at http://oeo.phila.gov/directory.asp or the Pennsylvania Unified Certification Program’s Directory of Disadvantaged Business Enterprises at http://www.paucp.com.
  • The amount that this program is able to approve for reimbursement will not always be equal to 50% of the eligible costs or the maximum amount due to availability of funds and restrictions in how program funds can be spent.
  • Projects within areas with special design controls or within historic districts must comply with those requirements.

 

Link to SafeCam here.

Link To SafeCam FAQ list here.

 

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30 New Cops Coming to the 15th District

Captain John McCloskey attended the PSA1 meeting on August 28th and announced that 30 new police officers will be assigned to the 15th district.  He went on to lay out some of his plans for how he will use the increase in manpower.  The bicycle patrols in Frankford will resume.  Two officers will be assigned as quality of life patrol officers specifically targeting problems in Bridesburg and up around Lincoln High School.

psa

In followup to the June meeting (the July meeting was cancelled by the police):

  • The issue of the moveable video cameras on Worth Street was investigated by Lt. Ryan.
  • There has been improvement on Trenton Avenue as a result of police activity.
  • The police will be looking into a business on Church Street for possible illegal activity.
  • A resident who complained about trucks on her street found that signs prohibiting trucks traffic had been put up shortly after the meeting but they truckers are ignoring them.  The captain said he would make sure some are ticketed in the future to send a message that the regulation would be enforced.
  • 4721 Oxford Avenue was closed down for use as a club and no activity should be going on there however it is being used now as a tee shirt shop.  L7I says it is up to the police. The police say they want the new shop to be warned they have to cease operation before they go in and shut them down.

McCloskey said they are continuing to keep the pressure on the prostitution activity on Frankford avenue. The “sting” operations have been effective in which the police use one of their female officers to attract offers from men who are then arrested and their vehicles are confiscated.  That kind of penalty creates a deterrence especially when their names are published in the media.

Frankford and Foulkrod is getting hot again with drug dealers moving back onto the intersection.  The police of focusing on keeping that area free and safe for the residents.

Joe Krause, President of Northwood Civic, thanked the police for their prompt response to the home invasion last month on Wakeling Street.  One of the individuals was shot and killed by the responding officer after he fired his weapon at him.  The second individual is still a fugitive.

Attendance at this meeting was about 25 but would have been greater if it was not for the confusion about the dates.  The police web site listed the date as August 29th.  The next meeting of PSA1 will be on September 25th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.  That is confirmed by the Captain.  Look for John Loftus’ report on this meeting in the Northeast Times when it becomes available.