|
Following a disturbing spike in local crime as reported last month, most categories of reported crime showed a modest rate of decline, mid-August through mid-September, reported Lt. Ed Bier of the 39th P.D.’s Police Service Area #1 (PSA #1) at his September meeting with residents of East Falls and Southwest Germantown. “The best thing is to protect yourself by locking windows and doors at all times, using interior, exterior and motion-sensitive lighting, and reporting any and all suspicious activity to 9-1-1.” Lt. Bier also reminded neighbors that if you come home and find your home has been burglarized, or if you go out to your car and see that it has been broken into - Don’t disturb the crime scene; rather, call 9-1-1 immediately - to maximize the chances for police to lift prints and pick up other evidence that could lead to an arrest. In fact, lifting prints of car break-ins is a pilot project occurring only in PSA $1 to determine its rate of success in leading to arrests.
Despite the across-the-board respite in crime, car theft and car break-ins persist in East Falls. In addition to the 49th P.D.’s admonition to remove all valuables from view and/or from the vehicle itself, Lt. Bier reminds neighbors of the availability of an anti-theft program that permits police to stop your moving vehicle between midnight and 6AM. It’s part of a citywide effort to thwart those stealing cars and its acronym is S.A.V.E. Applications for this Stolen Auto Verification Effort are available via EFTW at 215-848-2033. And via the 39th’s Crime Prevention Officer Joseph Lukaitis at 215-686-2751. EFTW extends kudos to the residents of the 3400 blocks of Midvale Avenue and Penn Street for improving their alley lighting observed on recent patrols, as opposed to earlier times. We are also grateful to the Streets Department, for getting city alley lights t burn brightly again along that same stretch, even though ‘The Alley,’ between Midvale and Coulter also appears much more brightly lit….Good job, Neighbors! Member of FTW continue to patrol, clean up graffiti or call it in - day in and night out. We were happy to get a boost of energy and sets of helping hands via Philadelphia University’s Day of Service volunteers September 27th. That day’s work and other matters are on the docket for our regular monthly meeting, Thursday, October 13th at 7:30PM at our HQ in the Carfax Building, 3540 Indian Queen Lane to which all neighbors are cordially invited. The PSA #1 meeting is slated for Tuesday, October 25th, 7PM at the Veterans Administration, building on Wissahickon Avenue and the 39th’s community meeting is set for Monday, October 24th at P.D. HQ, 22nd & Hunting Park Ave at 7PM. All are welcome.
|
