Assistant District Attorney Andrew Carobus of the office's Public Nuisance Task Force.

There’s a lot that goes into reporting a nuisance property in the City of Philadelphia, and a lot of things that can come from it. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Carobus reviewed the process at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting.

Carobus is part of the office’s Public Nuisance Task Force, with handles the acquisition and auction of problem properties.

“We can’t promise you something will be done overnight,” he explained to the more than 30 people at the meeting. But, he said, the more detailed a report on a property is, and the more often neighbors call, the better the memo the DA’s office can create to help address the problem. continue reading »

The Philadelphia Sports Zone, an AC Milan-supported sports complex planned for Upper Holmesburg, has reached out to and will partner with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame. Maggie Fulmer made the announcement at last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting [video below]. continue reading »

Philadelphia Prisons Commissioner Louis Giorla attended last night’s Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting to talk with residents about last month’s escape of Kevin Turner from Curran-Fromhold Correction Facility. Turner went on to rob and murder Lawncrest jeweler William Glatz nine days later. In the video below, Giorla explains how the escape took place and the precautions being taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again. continue reading »

Philadelphia Neighborhood correspondent Shaun Gallagher attended Tuesday’s Lawncrest Community Association on NEast Philly’s behalf, where residents were still on edge following the shooting death of William Glatz. continue reading »

The rain kept many folks away from last night’s monthly meeting of the Parkwood Civic Association, which now meets at Community College of Philadelphia.

With no highlighted speaker, the group got right to new business, which included quality-of-life issues like litter. The bulk of the discussion revolved around two topics: unhitched tractor trailers parked on the street and Junod playground. continue reading »

Fox Chase Homeowners Association President Matt Braden

The focus of last night’s Fox Chase Homeowners Association/Town Watch meeting was Go Ape!, and adventure course looking to take root in Pennypack Park.

The UK-based Go Ape! first introduced itself to the Northeast at last month’s Friends of Pennypack Park meeting, where members hotly contested the idea of using the park as an adventure destination. continue reading »

We were unable to attend Tuesday night’s meeting of the Parkwood Civic Association, but the board provided the following update: continue reading »

A portion of property proposed for a sports complex in Upper Holmesburg

In what would be the first of its kind in the nation, the Philadelphia Sports Zone, along with several local leaders and Italy’s AC Milan, are proposing a sports complex development in Upper Holmesburg.

The complex, designed for the east side of Tolbut Street and Torresdale Avenue, would boast fields and courts for basketball, baseball, softball, field hockey, lacrosse, flag football and primarily, soccer. (Photo of the rendering is below.) continue reading »

Members of the Lawncrest Community Association voice quality of life concerns to 2nd District Officer Mark Mroz.

A little more than 50 people turned out for last night’s meeting of the Lawncrest Community Association — about half the usual number. But the still-sizable group was as vocal as ever, especially when talks turned to quality of life issues.

Mark Mroz, community relations officer for the 2nd District, ran the first 30 minutes of the meeting as part of the PSA Zone 2 meeting, but residents’ concerns stemmed beyond crime.

Homelessness, trash, dog droppings and nuisance bars were among the leading issues in the neighborhood, and many residents had their own ideas about how to fix them. continue reading »

At the October meeting of the Burholme Civic Association/Town Watch, Nicole Wenger of Northeast Victim Service explains how the agency assists victims of crimes in the Northeast.

Northeast Victim Service “helps you not become a victim for a second time,” explained Burholme Civic Association President Al Taubenberger at last night’s meeting of the civic and Burholme Town Watch.

Nicole Wenger, a court advocate for NEVS was on hand at the meeting to explain to Burholme residents how the agency helps crime victims. continue reading »