What we have been told many times by the police is that one or two punks can create a huge property crime spree in a neighborhood. Once the punk gets caught or goes away, property crime temporarily subsides. I'm not going to repeat all the crime prevention techniques which you already know. We do need to report these, then keep pressure on PPD (by calling them to ask if the perps have been caught, etc.). It's easy to become defeated and give up. Don't. It's our community.
I'm sorry for your break-in, but I'm glad you reported it. We need to keep each other informed.

P.S. My wife once saw two punks entering a neighbor's yard and called 911. They clearly had no legitimate business there. The cops came, put her in the back seat and drove around the blocks until she spotted them. They called for a van, cuffed the kids and tossed them in for transport to the district. [not sure why they did this; maybe they were already on the lookout for them] We never found out what happened after that, but who knows, she may have prevented one or many subsequent crimes. Everyone, keep your eyes open and report things. If you're the more vigorous type and feel comfortable doing this, politely confront a stranger yourself- "Hi, my name's Spike, what's yours? You from around here? Whatcha up to? Get outta here or I'll...." The PPD will discourage confrontation for legal and practical reasons, but there is some value to it under the right circumstances.

__________________
What? Me worry?

How common is burglary in Roxborough? I guess it depends which part you live in. I've been looking for general city statistics online and haven't been able to find what I'm looking for.

I don't know why, lately I've been paranoid about people breaking into my apartment. It's not because of Philly; I felt the same way sometimes in Reading. There's something so scary about being in bed in the middle of the night and knowing that some stranger wanting to do you harm is in your home.

But I did read that burglary is most often committed during the day, when most people are at work.

__________________
Always design a thing by considering it in its next larger context—a chair in a room, a room in a house, a house in an environment, an environment in a city plan. -Eliel Saarinen

I was informed by another poster on this board that Mary Turtle is being retained by incoming councilwoman Carol Campbell.

Hi my name is Mark Golling and i work for a large national home security company. I was going through phillyblog.com checking out all the different blogs and came accross this one. I can help all of you get a little more peace of mind knowing that whether you are home or away your home will always be monitored. If anyone would like to schedule a free security analysis please feel free to contact me at xxxxxxxxxxx I am not mentioning the name of the company i work for at this time because i don't know if they allow me to. Thank you and I hope to Help, Mark

I was walking on Queen Lane last night, around 9:30 pm, across from the reservoir, before Henry Avenue. A white van pulled over w/two people in the front asking for directions to Germantown Avenue. The sliding back-passenger door was closed with a tinted window. I told them to turn around and head in the other direction for a 1/4 mile. He claimed to not hear me at first, and then asked how many blocks it was, motioning for me to come closer. The driver then spoke in a low-voice, saying he was on crutches and needed help. Obviously the whole thing was a sketchy situation, and there were alarm bells from the beginning. As I took one step closer to the car, I saw the shadow and edge of somone crouching in the back next to the sliding back-passenger door, told them good luck on Germantown Ave, and moved quickly away toward the more heavily lit and trafficked Henry Ave. A few other cars turned onto Queen just at that moment and the van stopped and turned around. Anyway, agreed it's time for more of a police presence in East Falls.

Hi, my name is Gaston Glock and I work for a small arms manufacturer. I was going through Phillyblog and saw your spam everywhere. I can help everyone get more peace of mind, even better than you and likely at lower cost. Please contact your local FFL to purchase my product. Here is more information. http://www.glock.com/home.htm

Thank you and take your spam and shove it.

first off philly is one of the most violent places in the nation. Its also one of the most polluted. just notice how many commericals are for medical care, hospitals and prescription drugs, ask your pharamacist how our city ranks for number of prescriptions. One reason is we live in very polluted area and so we have high crime and high asthma and high cancer. People don't realize its often not something wrong with them its an area that attracts allot of pollution and illness and crime. Where to go? I can name many places but I can't afford it. Philly can be good but too many people listen to tv to form their values... TV is there to put on commercials not to be objective to why you need so many commercials for health care.

Mr. Peppermint, you're back!

__________________
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-fkSYDtUY

"Censorship is free advertising by the government"--Federico Fellini

"Do you mind if I smoke while you eat?"

I totally agree. Years ago I remember reading the correlation between pollution and depression. One I think was sulfur dioxide which was being produced by factories around I95 Richmond, Fishtown area.
And I think of all the cigarette sales and taprooms that open early filled with workers.
And that area has high cancer rates. Both my parents grew up there and both died of cancer.

Hi Jogger,
As someone who use to jog and occasionally still do , I am sorry for your parents loss. In this day and age where we are told people live longer and are better informed of breakthrus in diets and medication, its not exactly inspiring to think a conspiracy exists to keep the status quo in place by some concerns or that politicians and tv news isn't doing enough to enlighten us more in this area but thats what I am saying. Not all areas of the nation are experiencing the reduction in pollution that some like to espouse in their political journals. Its quite possible that more cancer is the accumulated response and consequences our bodies experience for just existing in polluted area especially IF compared to those that don't get this amount of particulate and when everything else is the same.