Photo/Shannon McDonald

An idea Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th, proposed in June will be presented to voters on the November ballot, and could affect the future of the city’s police and fire departments.

Initially proposed by a constituent, the city charter change would give bonus points to the grandchildren of police and firefighters who’ve died in the line of duty. The bonus points would raise their scores on the service tests needed to qualify for those careers.

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This is a follow-up story to our  coverage in “District 172: The Politics of Change after State Rep. John Perzel,” a collaborative effort with Philadelphia Neighborhoods funded by J-Lab.

If any assumption was ever made about the Northeast, by any Philadelphian, it would be its position as a younger brother to Center City Philadelphia, not unlike Philadelphia in comparison with New York. However, Mayfair Civic Association President Joe DeFelice said that was an image his neighborhood aimed to defy.

One year ago, after and extreme fundraising effort, DeFelice met with NEast Philly to discuss the renovation and reopening of the Mayfair Memorial Playground. At the time, Mayfair was struggling with the recent political changes caused by the indictment of Pennsylvania House 172nd District’s Rep. John Perzel. The indictment, coupled with a downturned economy, forced the district into a difficult era.

State grants, which were freely given in previous years, dried up. Pennsylvania voted in a Republican governor and a Republican majority who created serious budgetary constraints. In the 172nd District freshman Rep. Kevin Boyle was elected in 2010. continue reading »

Facebook photo/Jeanes Hospital

Construction will last approximately two more years in Fox Chase as Jeanes Hospital and Fox Chase Cancer Center merge their services.

Work is already underway at the Cancer Center on 24,000 square feet of research space. A request for proposal was issued Wednesday afternoon for work to be done inside the Jeanes Hospital founders building. That project is expected to last this fall and last 18 to 20 months. continue reading »

Bandit signs at Oxford and Rockwell avenues in Fox Chase before Town Watch member Mike Bobby removes them. Photo/Maryline Dossou

On January 26, Councilman Curtis Jones, D-4th, formally introduced a bill that would legalize the bandit signs that residents say litter the streets and create blight in their neighborhoods. The bill was co-sponsored by Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, D-3rd.

“I can’t figure it out,” Councilman Brian O’Neill, R-10th, said. “We’re trying to do everything we can to get these signs down rather than trying to legalize them. They are blight, they lower the quality of light and they lower neighborhood values.”

The term “bandit signs” refers to signs posted on telephone and utility poles offering to buy house and cars, and provide various services. According to Philadelphia City Code 10-200, these signs are illegal and owners face fines from $75 up to $300 for each sign posted.

It has become increasingly difficult for the city to keep track of who is posting the signs, making it a challenge to enforce the fines.

After years of seeing the signs around, residents have taken it upon themselves to fight the issue. continue reading »

Image/Change By Us

Parkwood resident Marge Philippi collects bandit signs from poles. Since 2006, she said at last night’s civic association meeting, she’s collected 8,000 of the illegal signs that say things like, we buy houses.

Fox Chase Town Watch does the same.

But do the two neighborhoods — a world away and a Boulevard apart — know about each others’ efforts? Could they work together.

The city hopes its new social network, Change By Us, can help bring residents from all over Philadelphia together by uniting them through similar issues and common causes. continue reading »

One of the many bandit signs found regularly in Fox Chase.

There are a lot of bandit signs in Fox Chase, but there’s also Fox Chase Town Watch. A Fox Chase Town Watch member has taken it upon himself to help remove the neighborhood’s graffiti and bandit signs — the signs illegally posted on poles that advertise things like, “we buy houses.”

On Aug. 31, an accounting of signs collected since July 15 was taken to tally what their owners owe, since the City of Philadelphia charges $75 to $300 (based on how many offenses there have been) for the bandit signs.

Here’s the information the FCTW shared with us: continue reading »

Mike Bobby, John Duffy and Steve Phillips keep watch on Fox Chase

They are the eyes and ears of the Fox Chase community. Since 1995 The Fox Chase Town Watch has patrolled the streets of Fox Chase, alerting police to incidents and making note of ongoing problems that need police attention. Steve Phillips, current president of the Watch, has been a member since 1995. Membership is open to residents 18 years and older.

Members receive training, but rule No. 1 is to remember as a member you are not a law enforcement officer. Phillips became involved after the death of Eddie Polec, “Witnessing the death of Ed Polec has been my motivation for the last 17  years. I said to myself, this will not happen again, and that is why I do this.” continue reading »

L to R: Fox Chase Town Watch President Steve Phillips and Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams at the 2010 National Night Out Event. Photo by Hillary Shemin.

As part of the National Association of Town Watch, Fox Chase Town Watch will host the 28th annual National Night Out Tuesday, Aug. 2 at Fox Chase Elementary School.

The two-hour event is a local portion of a U.S. festivity that will draw an estimated 12,000 communities from across the nation. More than 37 million people are expected to join their communities in the night against crime. continue reading »

Fox Chase Town Watch reports police are investigating gun shots Sunday night at Ferndale Street and Borbeck Avenue.

“It appears the root cause may have been a fight between Rockledge teens and Fox Chase teens which occurred earlier at the St. Patrick’s day parade downtown.  Later that evening ( approximately 6pm) several Rockledge teens drove by the lower fields and fired several shots. While I know no one was hit I am not sure if there was an intended target.” continue reading »

(L to R) 7th District Community Relations Officer Rich Simon and 2nd District Community Relations Officer Mark Mroz talk about Block Watch with Fox Chase residents.

Mark Mroz told Fox Chase residents what he tells members of all the community association meetings he goes to: having an alarm on your home may not prevent a burglary, but it will keep the thief from staying in your house.

The 2nd District Community Relations Officer and Rich Simon, 7th District Community Relations Officer, talked with Fox Chase residents last night about crime reporting and prevention. It came as a response to a rash of burglaries on the 7300-block of Hasbrook Avenue. continue reading »