15th district cops take
bite out of crime

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

Members of the newly elected board of the 15th Police District Advisory Council held their first meeting last week at the John Perzel Community Center.
Capt. Frank Bachmayer, commander of the 15th, told attendees that thus far this year incidents of violent crime are down compared to the period last year, while quality-of-life arrests — including curfew violations and truancies — have increased.
"The fifteenth will continue to aggressively enforce the quality-of-life issues," he said.
Volunteers are still needed to put in time at the yet-to- be-decided location of the 15th District Curfew Center. Those interested should contact Officer Sharon Krause at 215-686-3150.
Stephanie Karp, of the District Attorney’s Public Nuisance Task Force, also was in attendance, as was Jerry Rocks, who championed the so-called "blunt bill," which Mayor John Street signed into law on Jan. 23.
The legislation — with some exceptions — generally bans the sale of tobacco products, rolling papers and other items that conceivably could be used as "drug paraphernalia." In his campaign for such a measure, Rocks primarily had targeted convenience stores and young people who buy the items for drug purposes.
Rocks said he wants to get word of the legislation out to residents and business owners. Rocks claims that many merchants are pleading ignorance. The text of the bill can be found at the Web site www.Hallwatch.org
In other business, police officers Jerald Fury and Robert Montague were selected Officers of the Month for January. They made a series of arrests that included two for robbery, arrests for cases of aggravated assault, rape, narcotics use and possession of an instrument of crime, and three thefts. ••
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com