Bustleon/Somerton Town Watch members received a Service Appreciation Award at Monday’s National Night Out kick-off event. Photo/Bill Achuff

For years, city officials have praised many of Northeast Philadelphia’s town watch groups. In making the rounds at neighborhood meetings, district attorneys, police commissioners and other city staffers have lauded patrol groups for their dedication, weekend patrols and creative ideas.

So what better place to kick off National Night Out than in the Northeast?

See more photos below from photographers Bill Achuff and Michelle Alton’s shoot at the National Night Out kick-off celebration. continue reading »

Gianna Rosati and 8th District Officer Trisha Rosati get a moment to talk. Photo/George Mai

Residents of the 2nd, 7th and 8th Police Districts came together at two separate events Tuesday night for one cause: National Night Out. Communities around the country locked their doors, turned the outside lights on and gathered at neighborhood events to meet with each other, their police officers and community and political leaders.

Below are slideshows from the events in the Northeast. 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 »

8th District residents and officers enjoyed a barbecue at the 2010 National Night Out event. Photo by Joe DiFlorio.

Update: Community Relations Officer Rudy Muller has provided the times for the mini burglary seminars, which you can find below.

The 8th PDAC will take part in National Night Out once again, marking the 28th annual nation-wide event with a handful of activities to promote community safety.

Tuesday, Aug. 2nd is the night communities around the country will lock their doors, turn on the outside lights and join their neighbors from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for family activities. 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 »

Photo courtesy of 8th PDAC.

The 8th Police District community went outside and greeted neighbors on Tuesday as they and the district officers let criminals know their community was organized and watchful on this 27th annual National Night Out.

National Night Out was started in 1984 as a high- profile way to get communities involved in preventing crime, according to the organization’s website. It started with 400 participating communities in 23 states, and by last year had grown to 35.4 million participants in 11,310 communities in all 50 states. continue reading »

Denise and Marissa Gibson along with an 8th District officer try out a motorcycle at the National Night Out event.

The 8th District celebrated National Night Out Tuesday as part of the annual countrywide event that’s designed to unite communities and promote safety. continue reading »

Captain Joseph Joseph F. Zaffino, Commanding Officer of the 7th District Police Department shakes hands with a representative of Target and accepts a check on behalf of the Captain of the 2nd District police department, Captain Michael McCarrick who was not able to attend tonight's festivities. In the background watching, is Community Relations Officer of the 7th District Officer Rich Simon.

Fox Chase Town Watch President Steve Phillips told NEast Philly Monday (you can catch the full story in Wednesday’s Metro newspaper) that the 2nd and 7th Districts were expecting about 2,000 people for Tuesday’s National Night Out event at Fox Chase Elementary. continue reading »

Don’t forget to pick up the latest edition of NEast Philly Metro, which will hit newsstands tomorrow morning.

In it you’ll find some popular articles from the last week of NEast Philly news, in addition to an article and photos from the National Night Out celebrations in the 7th and 8th Police Districts.

Read on!

The 8th District announced recently at a Holme Circle Civic Association meeting that the District will host a National Night Out Aug. 3.

The purpose of a National Night Out is to bring neighbors together against crime and violence while they leave their doors locked and outside lights on at home. The 8th District will have several family friendly activities for NNO, but on key piece is necessary first: National Night Out posters.

Kids ages 3 to 12 are invited to submit posters to the District, to be considered for a prize. The theme for the poster is : What does a safe and secure community look like to you?” continue reading »