Crime and Security Issues - Page 113 - PhillyBlog

NJTeacher · #**1121** (**permalink**) 01-24-2008, 09:20 PM

A neighborhood watch in this area would be great. I live at 48th/Hazel, and I've definitely had my uncomfortable moments in this neighborhood. I think it's because it's so eerily quiet. Unlike my old neighborhood, people here don't seem to do much porch sitting and/or socializing. This might tie into the difficulty in organizing an interested group, but this blog is probably a great place to start.

LittleFatDog · #**1122** (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJTeacher

A neighborhood watch in this area would be great. I live at 48th/Hazel, and I've definitely had my uncomfortable moments in this neighborhood. I think it's because it's so eerily quiet. Unlike my old neighborhood, people here don't seem to do much porch sitting and/or socializing. This might tie into the difficulty in organizing an interested group, but this blog is probably a great place to start.

yes! that really is a huge factor isn't it? I would agree

meltedcraypas · #**1123** (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:19 PM

I was in the same situation-not enough people interested in doing a town watch. Plus, I was told that I was "too white for this black neighborhood" and to not try to participate in anything. (honest to god)--See, I had been trying to address the two bullying drug dealers living on the block with their mothers. (They yell at you if you come out your door in the middle of their drug deals, they wave guns around, and fight with other drug dealers on the street and sidewalk, etc).

So one day, one of the guys was busy makin' hhis money in front of my house. I used my cell phone and called 911, giving them his description and the address. Then I called from my house phone, giving them the same description and address. Then, I called a friend, gave her the guys description and told her to give the same address AND to !call from her cell phone!, and asked to call 911 right now. She did. And by the time she called me back to let me know the deed was done, 4 cop cars roared up and his a** was getting frisked. You should have seen the amount of drugs they caught him with.

After that, I told the town watch representative to forget about it-I am my own "911 phone tree". I don't need her rules keep me from making my family safer. Mr. loser-boy has been convicted twice now within the past six months for drug trafficking, and has already spent time in jail. Needless to say, he doesn't say "boo" to anyone here anymore, and I hear he is looking for another place to live.

radioactivecat · #**1124** (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NJTeacher

A neighborhood watch in this area would be great. I live at 48th/Hazel, and I've definitely had my uncomfortable moments in this neighborhood. I think it's because it's so eerily quiet. Unlike my old neighborhood, people here don't seem to do much porch sitting and/or socializing. This might tie into the difficulty in organizing an interested group, but this blog is probably a great place to start.

It's also a little cold for porch sitting right now ... That being said,
I was (stupidly) sitting on my porch last night w/ neighbor, drinking beer, and we saw about police cruisers go by around 8 times. I feel like I"ve been seeing an increase in the 'hood.
Also so a crew of 6-8 13-16 year olds (9pm) wandering around shiftily. Cruiser went right by them, they scattered, he just kept going.

T.O. · #**1125** (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LittleFatDog

yea it was right near Hazel, around 2 AM.
Basically - I didn't jump out with cape on to save the day. I was out being shady myself distributing some excess recycling I had around in any empty bins I could find. Had dirty work clothes on and a black hooded jacket. There was nobody outside. This young guy, never seen before around here - about 6'3", kind of looked like Marlo from 'the wire' (eyes far apart, light-bulb head, thin neck) sized me up hard. I know when I'm getting sized up, so I walked across the street right toward him, slowly, and he moved off south toward Baltimore. this guy was not a drug addict, his clothes were clean and in the style he wanted them. there was no air of desperation around him but i could see he was searching something or someone out.
It was kind of nice out so I hung out in a shadow across the street and watched the corner. Soon enough a young girl comes walking up the street, with some bags in her arms and
sure enough the guy is walking back up the block with a hurried quiet step, eyes fixed on the girl. didn't see me. i walked slowly along somewhat behind her and in front on him and when i saw that he was clearly after her, i crossed the street between them. he was clearly startled by me and spun heels back south and then hurried west on walton. the girl had no idea she was being followed - there was no confrontation. it probably just confused her.

but it got me thinking. it took so little... so little... to discourage
this guy. just having another person out there. i didn't see anyone else for blocks, just me, the girl and the guy.
i don't have 7 people i could put together for a community watch. i don't even have two. but one thing i have to offer is my unique schedule. most people respectful and concerned enough to look out for others hold down normal lives, that require sleep. i'm up very late by most standards. i guess i'll just get out there more often.

I would definitely be interested in joining up with you. I am busy as hell as I know you are but I would at least spend a couple hours of week patrolling. Also I might be able to find a few other people to join.

I would much prefer to do it officially but I think even if it was not official I am sure if we went walking or riding bikes around we could probably make a difference. We could always call in suspicious behavior.

JessieM · #**1126** (**permalink**) 01-25-2008, 09:07 PM

hey fuzz:
i'm on saint bernard street between warrington and springfield, and there is some sort of holdup happening in the street. three cars were driving down the street, and the front and back cars sandwiched the center car, about 5 men got out with flashlights and swarmed it, handcuffing two men from the middle car. i'm assuming the two end cars are undercover police - any idea what's happening? it's right outside my house and they're all still milling around...

b. lee · #**1127** (**permalink**) 01-26-2008, 12:23 AM

I biked past that, I think. 46th around 8pm?

meltedcraypas · #**1128** (**permalink**) 01-27-2008, 06:36 PM

Did the police tow the car, too?

JessieM · #**1129** (**permalink**) 01-28-2008, 08:45 AM

I don't think it got towed - they were outside for a good 20 minutes or so, but I left the room for a few minutes and they were gone when I came back.

TheFuzz · #**1130** (**permalink**) 01-29-2008, 11:38 PM

Jessie, I'm sorry, I forgot to look that up. I owe the same apology to a few other members who asked me what was going on over the weekend. If you get a chance during the day, shoot me an email to remind me or call me...it's not a problem and takes 2 minutes. I don't mind, really.

Good news, a 17 year old kid from the 5100 block of Springfield was arrested for a robbery that occurred on Osage Ave a week ago. We got his accomplices name and will hopefully be able to clear a whole bunch of the robberies that have plagued the neighborhood recently. 2 BB guns recovered as well as the belongings of the victims.

Also, my least favorite street in the 18th district, unit block of south Farragut, has been getting hit pretty hard the past month with robberies. Women are the targets and the male usually sneaks up from behind and robs them point of knife. We have stepped up patrol and are currently working these cases. The only description we have is a light skin black male wearing a black coat. I know.....

Joe Murray
Southwest Detectives - SIU
267-718-4251
MurraySWDD@aol.com