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 »

Police have arrested the Frankford man shot by an off-duty officer in April, and charged the man with attempted murder and assault.

Joshua Taylor, 23, was shot on the 4600-block of Worth Street by an off-duty officer from the 18th District. continue reading »

Police have suspended a fellow officer after he allegedly punched his estranged wife in a Mayfair bar last month.

Officer James Graber, 36, was arrested Tuesday. He reportedly got into an argument with his estranged wife inside the bar while off duty, and was escorted from the establishment before returning and punching her in the face. continue reading »

The Firefighters Union is seeking help in identifying several police officer and firefighters killed nearly 100 years ago in the city. continue reading »

The team ambushes Tony D’Aulerio in the base paths after he drives home the winning run for the Blue Sox in their extra-inning championship effort. Photo by Tom Rowan.

Eighteen active Philadelphia Police Officers are huddled together in front of the dugout at LaSalle High School’s state-of-the-art Ward Field on a humid Sunday afternoon in August. Most of the players are hunched over with their hands on their knees and listening intently as their manager below them, resting on one knee in the dirt, looks up at his team with his circular-framed eye glasses and reminds them that they were good enough to reach the championship game, and are good enough to win it.

Meet the Philadelphia Police Blue Sox: an amateur baseball team composed entirely of Philly’s finest, ranging in age from 22 to 50. The team is preparing to take the field against the Cherry Hill Phillies in the championship game of an 18-and-older, New Jersey-based, independent baseball league for working class heroes with a hobby. A league full of weekend warriors.

“Where’s Cappy?” The Team Manager Bill Stephan, celebrating his 30th year as a cop, asks while scanning the players faces. From the back of the group, along the protective fence on the dugouts rim, a wide man with a sweat-stain halo forming around the crown of his cap speaks clearly, slowly and in a low tone.

“Same things he just said,” Joe Gillespie, 42, the ace starting pitcher begins. “Make this guy throw pitches… lay off the umpires… you know, just stay in the game. The whole game. No clowning around, no talking in here about work. We have the rest of the afternoon to talk about that. We can hit this guy, we proved it last time we played them. Let’s just give it everything.”

“Nine innings, 27 outs,” added PAL officer and three-hole hitter Tony D’Aulerio, 50, clapping his hands together.

“Let’s go play hard fellas,” Timmy Stephan, 24, says with black war paint outlining his high cheekbones.

“Alright guys,” the skipper regains the group’s attention with a direct tone, then lowers it. “We dedicate this year to all the fallen cops, OK? Dedicate the playoffs to everybody, OK? We play this game for them…do it for yourselves, and do it for them…Let’s get it in.”

Both players and coaches, in their matching gray and blue uniforms, all join hands at the middle of the huddle.

“Listen to me, and repeat after me, OK?”

Repeating after the skipper, the team shouts in unison.

“SKERSKI! CASSIDY! MCDONALD! NAZARIO! LICZBINSKI! SIMPSON! PAWLOWSKI! HEROES!”

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From the Philadelphia Police:

If residents observe a 2003 Chevy, Silverado, 2500 series, pick up truck, maroon in color, Pennsylvania registration YMA7376, call police immediediately. Male is wanted for burglary. Vehicle is being operated by 2 white males in their 20′s. Last seen at 400 Woodhaven Rd. and 1800 Lott St. over past 2 days. DO NOT TAKE ANY ACTION……CALL 911

Officer Chuck Cassidy

A jury decided today John “Jordan” Lewis will receive the death penalty in the 2007 murder of Philadelphia Police Officer Chuck Cassidy.

Lewis, 23, was found guilty Thursday after admitting during a previous hearing to his actions on Halloween day 2007, when he shot Cassidy in the head during a robbery at a Dunkin’ Donuts in North Philadelphia.

Cassidy’s widow, Judy, gave the following statement to the press: “There are no winners today. It doesn’t make us feel any better. We’re glad this is over, but we go home now and still deal with this.”

After potential terrorist threats to some other mass transit systems across the country, Philadelphia police have been taking advice from the FBI and Homeland security and upping patrols at many popular transit stops around the city.

The police have been working with SEPTA to conduct random sweeps, and while most of the security increases are based elsewhere in the city, many think smaller, less obvious locations could use a little more patrolling. There’s been no official word yet from SEPTA or the Philadelphia Police about how they plan to monitor the transit system more closely, but one would have to think the Northeast should being to see increased security presence.

With several major bus routes and train stations, and the Frankford Transportation Center hub, the NEast could stand to use more transit patrols – especially if government agencies want cities to be on alert of suspicious activity. Time will tell.

Have you noticed more police or SEPTA security on your daily route? Do you think a certain route or station is particularly at risk for crime or an attack?

Courtesy of CBS

The Parkwood Youth Organization honored slain police office John Pawlowski yesterday with a mural. The painting, done by Jon Laidacker in collaboration with the Mural Arts Program, is of a smiling Pawlowski looking out from the wall of the youth organization where he played soccer and basketball as a child.

His wife Kim and newborn son were there for the memorial. Pawlowski was killed in February while confronting a robbery suspect in the 35th District where he worked

I can’t help it – I like Garfield.

Faithful viewers of the A&E cable television series Parking Wars know of whom I speak. Garfield is one of the many interesting and loveable – yes, I said lovable – characters whose day-to-day lives working for the Philadelphia Parking Authority are put on display for the viewing public. Garfield and his partner Sherry travel the streets of Philadelphia, booting vehicles owned by motorists who owe a lot of money for parking and other violations. Needless to say, they encounter their fair share of angry citizens along the way.

It is the televised altercations that are captured on video while booting, towing and waiting in line at the impound lot that has brought the Parking Authority and Parking Wars under fire in recent weeks. The show was blamed Sunday in a Philadelphia Inquirer editorial for potentially hurting the city’s tourism industry. One angry reader called the Parking Authority a “disgrace,” and demanded that it be overhauled.

I understand being mad at the Parking Authority. I’ve been there. continue reading »