The 8th District announced recently at a Holme Circle Civic Association meeting that the District will host a National Night Out Aug. 3.

The purpose of a National Night Out is to bring neighbors together against crime and violence while they leave their doors locked and outside lights on at home. The 8th District will have several family friendly activities for NNO, but on key piece is necessary first: National Night Out posters.

Kids ages 3 to 12 are invited to submit posters to the District, to be considered for a prize. The theme for the poster is : What does a safe and secure community look like to you?” continue reading »

Upper Holmesburg residents have been waiting for the demolition of Liddonfield for five years. The civic association has worked with police, politicians and the Public Housing Authority over the years when problems have cropped up, and recently established its own committee to oversee the demolition and transition process.

And though the announcement at last night’s meeting of the impending demolition  from Richard Zappile, chief of police for PHA was music to residents’ ears, those who’ve been fighting Liddonfield for the last five years want to make sure the new homes aren’t host to the same problems.

“The community is a large part of this,” said Zappile that PHA homes often raise neighborhood property values because of their innovative design and clean appearance. continue reading »

Members of the 8th PDAC sponsored an Arbor Day event on Friday at the district.  The ceremony featured a tree dedication to remember and honor all deceased police officers who either lived or worked in the 8th Police District.

Remarks were made by our guest speakers: State Reps. Dennis O’Brien and Brendan Boyle, Fraternal Order of Police President John J. McNesby, 8th District Capt. Deborah Kelly PDAC Vice Chairman Harry Sonntag, Rev. Carl Graczyk of St Jerome parish and Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz.  The Honor Guard was comprised of the Patriot Guard Riders (U.S. military veterans), a Philadelphia Police Honor Guard and a bugler, Cpl. John Halligan.

-Submitted by Elsie Stevens, Holme Circle and 8th PDAC

Last night’s Holme Circle Civic Association meeting began with an announcement that came as no surprise to most of those in attendance.

President Sean McAleer announced his resignation from the group, which coincides with his out-of-town move. McAleer’s faced a long commute to work everyday, and will be moving closer to the workplace with his family — a decision he said happened in just a few short weeks.

It’s unclear who will take the lead now that McAleer has stepped down,  though such a position usually falls to an existing board member should no one else express interest. continue reading »

Officer Harry Taylor (Officer of the Year), Councilman Brian O'Neill, State Rep. Brendan Boyle and Officer Daniel Rubin (Officer of the Year)

The 8th Police District Annual Awards Ceremony took place at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Cannstatter’s with the following recognitions:

George Biles Memorial Award for Officer of the Year 2009:  Police Officers Harry Taylor and Daniel Rubin

Civilian Employee of the Year:  Ms. Angela Wiggins-Streater

Continue reading for more honors.
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Capt. Deborah Kelly and Rep. Brendan Boyle honor the 8th District's Officers of the Month. Photo submitted by Elsie Stevens.

On Wednesday, March 3, the 8th Police District  Advisory Council met for its monthly meeting at Academy and Red Lion roads.

The evening’s guest speakers were State Rep. Brendan Boyle and James Donaghy from the city’s Department of Commerce. continue reading »

Holmesburg Civic Association's December meeting. Photo by Christopher Wink for NEast Philly.

The main topic of last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association was Police Service Areas — and why a commander from the 8th District  wasn’t there to explain them.

As the 8th District gets ready to launch Police Service Areas — breaking the district into three patrol zones — residents of Holmesburg, which sits in half the 8th and 15th districts, have questions. continue reading »

From left: 8th District Police Capt. Deborah Kelly, FOP Marketing Director Steven Weller, Morrell Park ShopRite owner/operator Richard McMenamin, State Rep. Denny O'Brien and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey. Photo by Elsie Stevens.

The Morrell Park ShopRite donated a check Friday in the amount of $10,000 to the Police Survivors Fund. The fund raises money for the family members of the city’s fallen police officers. Capt. Deborah Kelly of the 8th District was on hand to accept the check from Richard McMenamin, owner and operator of the Morrell Park ShopRite. With her were Steven J. Weller, director of marketing for the Fraternal Order of Police, State Rep. Dennis O’Brien and Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey.

–Elsie Stevens, Holme Circle

The land the Mayfair Civic Association is selling to neighbors. See more detailed plans below.

Mayfair residents got wind of some big changes coming to their neighborhood at last night’s Mayfair Civic Association meeting.

The first order of business came from Acting President Joe DeFelice, who announced that former president Scott Cummings has stepped down from his position to attend to personal issues. From there, DeFelice said, the civic association will be dissolved, all assets liquidated and all grants closed. This will all likely happen by the end of the year, he said, and then the civic association will start fresh. continue reading »