President's Message

This area will be used to publish information as it relates to the safety and quality of life for the families and children of the Fox Chase community. Since our members  spend their valuable free time patrolling the streets of Fox Chase, it is only fair that we share what we are seeing first-hand with you. I will attempt to update this section as often as I can to give you important information on what is going on in our neighborhood!

January 18th, 2010- With todays technology that is available to us, I have found many ways that we can gather up to date information on what is going on in our neighborhood by just simply being connected. For instance, Captain Joseph Zaffino, Cammander of the 7th Police District recently went online with Police Alerts that can be very helpful to the crime that we all must face. You can sign up at www.readynotify.org, and receive both text messages and email alerts. Please visit this website and choose what best fits your style. I also recently signed up for a daily email from www.neastphilly.com, which gives me important news of what is going on in Northeast Philadelphia. Check out these sites and get connected!

I want to remind everyone to remove anything of value in your vehicles when you park and most importantly to lock your car at all times. Too many Fox Chase residents have been victims of car break-ins both during the day and night. These criminals simply check all door handles until they find a vehicle that was left unlocked. If they notice a GPS, Ipod or laptop sitting in the car, they often will smash and grab these items and run. Lets look out for each other by paying attention to these hoodlums. They often stand out by their behavior of looking intently in to cars. Many will try to blend in by walking a dog, or appearing to be "out for a walk". While they usually prefer the cover of darkness, we still can be on the look out during times when we come home late or for some of us who go to work during the early hours. If you see something that does not look right- call 911 and report a suspicious person and give them a location. Even if you are wrong, it still does not hurt to have a police car come in to our neighborhood and check things out. Besides, you don't even have to wait around for the police, but your call may be helpful!    

August 24th, 2008- I just recently learned of the School District's plan to open a "disciplanary school" at the former site of the Orlean's Technical Institude located at 1330 Rhawn ( near the intersection of Rhawn and Dungan). The School District has contracted with a private for-profit company named Camelot Schools to manage this building and it will be referred to as "Camelot at Shallcross". This raises many questions and concerns but my first question is why would the School District pick this location. There is a senior citizen retirement home ( Gloria Dei Estates) right next door and two of the cities valued residential sub-communities, Fox Run and Meadowbrook at Fox Chase within a short distance. There is also a Synagogue directly across the street. This location makes no sense at all. Disciplanary schools should always be located in remote areas far away from any residential homes and families. We have enough destruction, graffiti, and vandelism just from our own neighborhood kids Why would we want 500 of the most problematic and disruptive students placed at this location. The 2nd Police District does not have enough manpower as it is now thanks to Commissioner Ramsey sending all the police graduates to the 9 worst crime districts. Where is the fairness. Since the residents of the 4 Northeast Police Districts pay more city taxes then these 9 other Police Districts, why are we being short changed. If the School District feels strongly about putting a disciplinary school in a nice neighborhood then why don't they put it in Chestnut Hill??? I think we all know the answer to this question.         

August 4th, 2008 -It is with great anguish to learn of the death of one of our local teens who was tragically killed by an R-8 regional rail train last night near the Lawndale Station. I do not think it is appropriate to point fingers of blame nor do I feel we should just shrug this off as "kids being kids". As far as I am concerned, we all share some blame for not getting our message out to all our teens- very simply- stay away from the railroad tracks. To the parents of Fox Chase, I cannot tell you how many of our kids -male and female- go on to these tracks each and every night. Many tell me that they are "just going to McDonalds". Take this unfortunate opportunity to sit your kids down and make them promise you that they will stay off these tracks.        

Crime Alert: During our recent community Town Watch Meeting on March 12th 2008, Community Relations Officers Rich Simon ( 7th ) and Mark Mroz (2nd) advised our community of the increase in "smash and grab" automobile crimes in Northeast Philadelphia. The CRO's stated that you should never leave your car unlocked nor leave any valuables inside. The hot item for criminals are the GPS devices that are popular with todays drivers. The CRO's warned that the criminals are looking for the suction marks left by the GPS on your inside windshield when removed. They advise to clean off this suction mark! If you see anyone lurking around a car, call 911 immediately!    

Mayor Nutter/ Police Commissioner Ramsey's New Crime Inititive

The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for our help in locating 150 of our city's most violent criminals. These criminals are living in every neighborhood of our city so lets join together and help the Police with information to their whereabouts. To see a mug shot of each of these violent criminals please visit www.ppdonline.org and click on Philadelphia's Most Wanted Felons, or go to our "Links" section and click on "Philadelphia Police Department.  You can report all information anonymously for your protection. Lets stand up to the "Don't Snitch- Don't Tell" culture that is destroying our neighborhoods. Lets help our city!  Warning- do not attempt to apprehend any of these criminals as they are to be considered armed and dangerous.     Call 911 immediately

Crime Alert: On Saturday January 12, 2008 at 3:30 AM, Keller's Market was attempted to be robbed by three African American males.  It was reported that they reside in the Lawncrest area. They were apprehended after this incident by police.  It is imperative that any suspicious activity be reported to 911 immediately. 

Crime Alert: Seventh District Captain Zaffino recently advised the town watch of numerous daytime burglaries concentrating in the area north of Rhawn Street.  Please pay attention to any individuals who may appear to be out of place or acting in a suspicious manner. 

Crime Alert- 5 shots were fired on Saturday December 15, 2007 at approximately 10:30 pm at the intersection of Halstead and Stanwood Streets.  These five shots struck 2 vehicles which were parked on Stanwood street. One bullet struck the vehicle gas tank causing gas to leak out on to the ground. Neighbors spotted a red/maroon Chevy Impala year 2002-2004 leaving the scene. While I believe this was a random act of violence with no intended traget, we all know that innocent people can be killed by stray bullets. 

Crime Alert - There have been several armed robberies/assaults in the past few months which targeted our teens as they walked through our neighborhood.  These thugs/criminals pull over in a car and rob our teens of cash, cell phones, MP3 players, IPods, and any other valuables they may have.  If you notice a suspicious car slowing down or following you, please call 911 immediately. Some times these criminals will first engage you in small talk, to see if the surroundings are clear of adults and cars.  Do not be fooled- stay alert! Don't feel embarrassed or ashamed to call 911 to say you are being followed by a car of people that may try to rob you!   Parents- educate your children on these lurking dangers.  While I realize it is not practical to keep them indoors at all times, we need to help our children better recognize these dangers and more importantly how to react to them.  Do not assume your children will know what to do if a situation like this occurs. Teenagers typically think that nothing bad can happen to them. 

Graffiti Update: While our graffiti removal task force has been quite successful in removing much of the increased graffiti that has damaged our property values this past summer and fall there are still a few individuals who continue to break the law by defacing other people's property.  I am hoping that some of our law abiding teens will do the right thing and report their identities and addresses to their parents who then can email this information to me. This information will then be turned over to the Police Neighborhood Services Unit for handling.  I am even willing to give a financial reward for information leading to the arrest of any individual defacing our neighborhood with graffiti.  Parents please talk to your kids.  You may be surprised at how much they may know!  Special thanks to Mike Bobby for all his time and efforts in removing the graffiti in Fox Chase!