An evacuation drill has been scheduled at the U.S. Navy Depot for the week of March 19. Image/Google Maps

More than 6,000 people work at the U.S. Navy Depot in Lawncrest, and sometime during this, they’ll be pouring out onto the streets for an emergency drill.

Mark Mroz, community relations officer for the 2nd District, said SEPTA, police and the media have been notified of the drill, but residents should be warned too, as the drill will shut down streets around the facility.

The purpose of the drill is to see how long and evacuation would take if there should be an emergency. The drill will take up to 24 hours to complete, and no specific date has been set. continue reading »

A Philadelphia Police Officer associated with the 2nd District has pleaded guilty to stealing from a supposed panhandler.

Kevin Workman has been sentenced to three years’ probation for stealing from a woman he thought was a panhandler. She was actually an undercover police officer. continue reading »

Phil Grutmacher reviews Lawncrest's top zoning issues at the January Community Association meeting. Photo/Shannon McDonald

Last night’s Lawncrest Community Association meeting began with a word about burglaries from 2nd District Community Relations Officer Mark Mroz, ended with a $49 50/50 ticket and was interrupted by  a birthday cake for dedicated LCA member Peg Kramer.

But the meat of the meeting was zoning. With no guest speaker plan, President Bill Dolbow breezed right through the agenda and let Phil Grutzmacher take the mic to discuss zoning. Five proposals were reviewed, but the first is a site that’s been a thorn in the LCA’s side for months. continue reading »

Police Monday arrested one of their own when Kevin Workman was taken into custody.

The 47-year-old is a 21-year veteran of the force, and has been suspended with intent to dismiss following charges against him of theft and receiving stolen property.

Media reports indicate Workman’s place in the 2nd District in the Northeast, but Community Relations Officer Mark Mroz Tuesday night explained how his district has “taken a black eye on that.” continue reading »

Mark Mroz

When Town Watch isn’t cutting it, Mark Mroz recommends Block Watch. The 2nd District Community Relations Officer promoted the idea at last night’s Lawncrest Community Association, with support from a handful of residents who said recent crimes around their house had been perpetrated by neighbors. 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 »

Burholme Town Watch President and Police Radio Advisory Board member Paul Andris explains 911 operations

Note: Due to technical difficulties, two videos cannot be uploaded.

There’s a difference between 311 and 911, and the police want to make sure everyone is aware of it. Aside from the notoriously slow response time of 311, it’s not for emergencies. For that, there’s 911. Police Advisory Board member and Burholme Town Watch President Paul Andris explained at last night’s Burholme Civic Association meeting how 911 works so efficiently.

“In  Philadelphia, there are 3.3 million calls per year to 911,” Andris said. “There are 330,000 crank calls.”

Andris showed an educational video –the same he shows to students at schools he presents to — about how to best use 911, and how the operators are able to trace your call so easily. continue reading »

Weatherization specialist B.J. McDuffie explains how to seal your windows.

B.J. McDuffie recommends weatherizing your home when Daylight Savings Time ends. But the weatherization specialist brought her list of tips, demonstration tools and free weather-proofing kits to last night’s Lawncrest Community Association meeting since there’s plenty of winter left.

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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 »