Short dumping in industrial areas of Holmesburg and Tacony has community leaders worried about quality of life issues and fires. Photo/Steven Mitchell

This is the second in a two-part series about quality of life issues in Tacony and Holmesburg, and the neighborhoods’ approach to growing stronger together. You can read the first part here.

Short dumping is a problem all over Philadelphia, and in some Northeast neighborhoods, the issue is weighing down the community.

Short dumping is the illegal act of disposing trash and debris on a street or vacant lot. Industrial areas — like those along Torresdale Avenue and State Road in Holmesburg and Tacony — tend to be dark at night, which allows for people to come and dump their trash and other items in this area.

The railroad tracks at James Street and Bleigh Avenue is a particular hotspot for short dumping. There, you’ll see trash and other debris, as well as abandoned tires. continue reading »

The Tacony Quality of Life Council meets monthly at the Sons of Italy.

The Tacony Quality of Life Council meets monthly to address crime, zoning, licensing and other quality-of-life issues in Tacony and beyond. Below are the minutes from the group’s May meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for June 23. continue reading »

Here’s a summary of the week’s Northeast news we didn’t cover. See others here.

Friends Hospital updated on its recovery-oriented inpatient psychiatric care unit last night. The unit at the Northwood facility opened in January. Its goal is for each patient to leave with a new, self-written life plan. The life plan will be different than normal in that it will incorporate continued therapy with each individual’s interests, support systems, hobbies, strengths, community connections, and aspirations. It focuses on positive psychology based on hopes and dreams, not just symptoms, medication, and counseling appointments.

Keep reading for news on program cuts from Mayor Nutter, an advanced math class and more. continue reading »

Holmesburg residents had many questions for CLIP's Cindy Lustick.

UPDATE (May 13, 6 p.m.) — Mayfair CDC Executive Director has told NEast Philly the Department of Rec has not taken over the John Perzel Community Center, nor will the center be renamed. King said the JMPCC and Devon Theater are “still 100 percent owned, operated and controlled by the Mayfair CDC.”

Herb Moskovitz of Holmesburg Rec said as far as he was told — by the Holmeburg Rec Center Director — the name would be changed. A call to the Department of Recreation has not yet been returned.

For Holmesburg residents seeking solutions to pesky neighbors, last night’s meeting of the Holmesburg Civic Association proved valuable.

CLIP employee Cindy Lustick was on hand to explain how the Community Life Improvement Program works, and what its employees can and can’t do.

“No matter what the complaint, we do go out,” Lustick told the nearly 30 people at the meeting. “And the more information you give us the better.” continue reading »

Nine city employees with the Community Life Improvement Program were arrested yesterday in connection with a year-long grand jury investigation.

The employees are charged with stealing from some homes they were clearing as part of their work with CLIP. AS CBS3 reported, among the stolen items were jewelry, furniture, money and firearms. Some of the firearms were sold illegally on the street, and one was found in the possession of a murder suspect.

Founded in 2002, CLIP is meant to improve quality of life and beautify neighborhoods.