Mayfair Town Watch has moved one step closer to its goal of street patrols by finishing up its member training session, with plans to hit the streets this weekend.

“I think we need to get out there on the streets ASAP, and that’s what this is all about,” President John Vearling said. continue reading »

Mayor Nutter addressing a $700 million budget shortfall in Mayfair in front of the 2nd and 15th police district headquarters.

By Christopher Wink

Speaking in front of more than two dozen uniformed police officers and nearly as many firefighters and other officials from the city’s emergency services, Mayor Nutter yesterday heightened pressure on state legislators to “give Philadelphia the tools it needs to help itself.”

“If our General Assembly does not approve the two budget measures we’ve asked for — a temporary increase in the city sales tax and a variety of pension reforms — we will be faced with no choice but to implement a series of devastating cuts,” Nutter said outside the 2nd and 15th police district headquarters on Levick Street near Harbison Avenue in West Mayfair. “Cuts that will impact every neighborhood in Philadelphia, including right here in the Northeast.”

In May, City Council approved a balance budget that depended on those two provisions that need legislative approval: bumping up one percent the city’s sales tax for five years and re-amortizing the city’s pension system by pausing payments for two years and redistributing payments over 25 years instead of 20. Without those options, Nutter said they’ll have to revisit trying to close a $700 million budget shortfall.

At yesterday’s rally, Nutter focused on what that would do to Philadelphia generally and the Northeast specifically, a region of the city known for its communities of cops and firefighters.

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By Shannon McDonald

The two teens charged for the April 2 attack on a SEPTA bus driver are from the Northeast.

Estebon Santiago, 47 was attacked when he stopped his 124 bus at 12th and Market streets. The teens, whom he allowed to ride from King of Prussia while they searched for fare money, began beating Santiago after they refused to pay once the bus stopped in Center City.

Carlos Masip, 18 of Algon Avenue near Devereaux Avenue, turned himself into the 15th Police Distrisct at Harbsion Avenue and Levick Street Friday, after his accomplice was arrested. The second teen’s identitiy has not been released, as he is only 17, but he is from Anchor Street near Torresdale Avenue.

The 6000-block of Erdrick Street in 1950s Wissinoming. Photo courtesy of Fred R. Towers for PhillyHistory.org.

Every Friday, NEastPhilly.com will bring you NEast History, a historical photograph, story or account from the storied past of Northeast Philadelphia. See others here.

This is a view of 6015 Erdrick St. near Harbison Avenue in Wissinoming around 1950. A not much has changed – except the sidewalk.

An old gas station on the 4200-block of Comly Street in Wissinoming. Photo courtesy of Fred R. Twers for PhillyHistory.org.

Ever wonder what 4229 Comly Street used to look like? There’s a WaWa there now, but back in the ’50s it was a gas station.