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June PSA1 Meeting

The June PSA1 meeting did take place on June 26th and captain McCloskey attended along with Lt. Ryan and Assistant District Attorney Jacqueline Coelho.  There had been some confusion about the date due to misinformation placed on the 15th district web site.  Despite that, there were close to 50 residents gathered at Aria Hospital drawn from all areas of Frankford.

psa web

Captain McCloskey started out by noting that rate of robbery and burglary are both down in the recent period.  Shootings have increased due to ongoing drug activity that has been centered around Foulkrod and Frankford but has been shifting over toward Margaret.  He mentioned that they are continuing to put pressure on the prostition issue in the early morning hours on Frankford Avenue and are making it less attractive for the prosititutes to use that area.  He also talked about the summer season of block party permits which over which he has veto authority.  He will not approve permits for street closures of problem blocks.

Residents of Worth Street noted that shootings in their area are an ongoing problem with only luck lately to account for nobody being hit.  The drug dealers are responsible and the McCloskey said he would tip the narcotics team to the problem.

On Trenton Avenue residents say some mornings the prostitutes are causing traffic problems.  They asked about a temporary surveillance camera that is available and Lt. Ryan said he would look into that option.  The camera would take residents off the hook for conducting their own surveillance.

There is a house on the 4200 block of Paul Street where the back yard is being used for sexual activity.  This is not far from what has become a nuisance garage.  Work and noise going on at all times of the day and night.  McCloskey said he would have a look to see if there might be some more serious criminal activity related going on there.

The 4700 block of Griscom continues to be used by the same drug dealers as in the past. There was a report that a garage on Church Street may be a chop shop.  McCloskey said he would refer that issue to major crimes for further investigation.

I had to leave the meeting at that point for personal reasons but John Loftus of the Northeast Times has his complete report on line at this link.

I have been attending the PSA meetings since they were instituted and have witnessed some successes when the community and the police come together to work on a problem.  It does not work without both components.  The next PSA meeting is scheduled for 7PM on July 24th at Aria Hospital.  Unless the police and the residents attend to followup on the complaints at this meeting, we are just spinning our wheels.

Please note that the print edition of the Gazette lists the date for the July PSA at the 17th.  This is an error that is still listed on the 15th district web site.  Why is it that they let this situation continue?  I don’t know.

 

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15th District PSA1 meeting miscommunications the center of June Frankford Civic Association Meeting

At the Frankford Civic Association meeting held this past Thursday, discussion centered on the groups’ frustrations with the Police 15th District Public Service Area 1 (PSA1) meetings. Attendence included a representative from Democratic nominee for the 179th State House Jason Dawkins, and several residents of East Frankford. Although PSA meetings are meant to be a venue for the police and residents to engage and understand, Frankford Civic president Pete Specos says they’ve been unable to hold a meeting for a couple months and that there’s been limited communication with the 15th district Captain, John McCloskey.

20140610 Frankford Civic Meeting

Specos said he has been unable to get in touch with the captain or lieutenant of the 15th police district. Specos told the assembled, “at the last PSA meeting, no one showed up. The one before it, at 10 after 8, the lieutenant walks in when everyone is walking out.” Specos says he was told it was a miscommunication. “This is becoming disrespectful. Now at the PSAs, no one shows up, cause they know the police won’t show up.” Specos says he’s been trying to call for another meeting,”but it’s like pulling teeth”.

Several residents of East Frankford were at the civic to discuss police related matters. A resident that lives by the playground field at Harding High School. says he’s it’s being used by dirt bikes and ATVs. “It’s only going to get worse as we get further into the summer” he told the civic.

Another resident said that he’s seen biker gang patches at Timmy’s Place. Residents also would like the police to put a camera at Worth and Orthodox.

Specos says the community has been damaged because residents now won’t go to a PSA meeting because they don’t think the police will show up.

Specos said the next PSA 1 meeting is scheduled for June 26th at 7 pm at Frankford Aria Hospital, however, on the 15th District website, the meeting is shown as being held on June 19th at 7 pm.

police-psa-screenshot

The next civic association meeting is being pushed back a week from it’s regular schedule because of the July 4th holiday. The Frankford Civic Association will meet on the 2nd floor at Aria Frankford Hospital at 7 pm onThursday July 10th.

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Lt. Burton Saves the Day

The PSA meeting on April 24th was almost without police presence until Lt. Tony Burton strode in, having been delayed on other police business.

Prior to his arrival, residents discussed the ongoing problems with drugs on the 4700 block of Griscom Street.  Pete Specos noted that SEPTA has been installing improved street lighting at the Margaret-Orthodox el stop intersection with Oxford Avenue.

Burton then remained after the normal end time of the meeting to discuss other issues.  On the issue of dividing the 15th District into two separate districts, he says that would only make sense if both districts were adequately staffed.  It is the number of police officers available for patrol that is the problem. The police department is now recruiting in other states trying to bring in new officers.

He made a point about police response time by calling to find how many jobs were in the queue at 8:11 PM that night.  There  were 11 pending which meant that the lowest priority job might see a unit dispatched to that call in about 58 minutes.  That is assuming that no other higher priority jobs came in.  They need more officers to do a better job.

He noted that the 15th district is likely to get some new officers out of the next graduating class but how many is yet to be determined.

The next PSA1 meeting has not yet been scheduled.

 

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PSA Meeting Talks Drugs

Officer Heather Andrews conducted the PSA meeting on December 19th.  Twelve residents turned out which is pretty good given it is the holiday season.

  • The police are meeting with the owners of the Kinsey Street Cafe at Kinsey and Ditman St. to discuss ways for the bar to solve some of the ongoing problems that have plagued the neighborhood for some time.  The owner is willing to work with the police in finding a solution.  Should that effort prove unsuccessful, legal options will then be invoked.
  • Problems at the Happy Garden at Oxford near Frankford are ongoing with the drug dealers using it as a hang out.  Arrests are being made.
  • At Foulkrod and Frankford the drug guys are back after crawling away following a shooting a few months ago.
  • A vacant house on the 4700 block of Griscom is being used by drug dealers.  The corner is once again moving to out of control status.
  • “loosey” salesmen are selling to school students at the Margaret El station.
  • K2 and artifical marijuana by other names is again available on the Avenue.  Kids think its safe since its legal in some states but not in PA or NJ.  It is far worse then the real thing.  Officer Andrews explained some of the problems in enforcing the laws against its sale.
  • There have been some thefts from cars in Northwood.  The criminals just walk down the street and check for unlocked doors.  They have been recorded on home video surveillance systems.
  • Sanya Brown,  Frankford’s new PhillyRising coordinator announced that there would be a monthly meeting for community members to get together to discuss opportunities, date and time to be announced.

The next meeting for PSA1 will be on January 16th at 7PM at Aria Hospital.

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Focus of Frankford: Pete Specos

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Pete cooking Thanksgiving dinner at Mater Dolorosa

By: Pat Smiley

There are many concerned citizens and activists in Frankford. There is only one Pete Specos. I have gotten to know Pete much better since St. Joachim Church was closed in June and parishioners started Keep the Faith in Frankford, a nonprofit, to continue the work of the Church and to help the community.

Pete’s knowledge, connections and a real willingness to serve and help in any way he can has made him a vital member as well as a member of the board. But this has only added to the work Pete has done on behalf of our community of Frankford.

A real “grassroots” man, Pete is a Democratic Committeeman and President of the Frankford Civic Association and the Zoning Officer. He is the Treasurer of the PDAC (the 15th District Police District Advisory Council). On November 23rd, Pete and PDAC provided a Thanksgiving Dinner to nearly 150 people that was held in Mater Dolorosa’s hall where local residents were treated to all the trimmings and there were many return visits to the buffet.

Pete coordinates the  PSA1 meetings where the Police meet monthly with area residents to discuss and address their concerns. Recently, the NFCY, (the old “Frankford Y”) has been restored to community use and is undergoing major renovations. Pete is Financial Director of their board.

Lucille Ball said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person to do it.” I, for one, am very grateful that Pete has been “busy” making Frankford a better place to work and live.

But don’t get the idea that Pete is all work. One of his passions is his very own Christmas Lightshow that’s on display for all those who come by 4287 Orchard St. It was featured on the Christmas TV special Christmas Planet two years ago.

The Christmas Lightshow begins on Thanksgiving night and will be available for all to enjoy through New Year’s Day! Pete, you just can’t help lighting up Frankford!