Assistant DA pays a visit
to Upper Holmesburg

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Upper Holmesburg is lucky, according to Assistant District Attorney Stephanie Cella.
Other neighborhoods, including some only minutes away from the territory represented by the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, are beleaguered by nuisance properties.
But Upper Holmesburg is not, said Cella, a member of the D.A.’s public nuisance unit and the guest speaker at UHCA’s monthly general meeting last Thursday night.
Cella should know. She has spent years prosecuting property forfeiture and "clean-and-seal" cases throughout Northeast Philadelphia, as well as in other select police districts elsewhere in the city.
Although Upper Holmesburg may not have a litany of nuisance homes and bars, Cella explained, residents there should still remain diligent about reporting those few sites that do cause persistent problems.
"You don’t have a lot of drug houses in this area," Cella said. "Right now, I have ten open cases in the 8th (police) district, compared to sixty in the 15th district, which is right next to you."
Cella and her colleagues can be a valuable resource for residents seeking to rid their communities of drug houses and businesses where illicit drugs are prevalent, along with any of myriad other nuisance issues. More often than not, such businesses are bars and nightclubs.
Other nuisance issues include, but are not limited to, shootings, noise, disorderly crowds, public drunkenness, littering, public urination and underage drinking.
Neighbors who have chronic issues with certain locations are encouraged to call the D.A.’s public nuisance hotline to report their concerns. When people call to report a place, Cella explained, they make her case stronger when she seeks to shut down the nuisance business or seize the property.
"If there are enough complaints from the community, we will shut down the bar," the prosecutor said.
Depending on the nature of the complaints, the unit also might be able to seize the property much like it can confiscate residences where drug activity occurs.
The D.A.’s strongest cases are when the owner of the business or home can be linked directly to drug activity, Cella said. And once all of the legal requirements are satisfied, the prosecutor’s office can sell seized properties at auction, with the proceeds benefiting further crime-fighting efforts.
In cases when the property is in someone else’s name, the prosecutor still can compel the owner to evict a problem tenant through various legal means.
One of the biggest tools that the D.A. can have in ridding neighborhoods of nuisance properties is communication with neighbors.
"If you know of any place in this district or any other district, you can call us and you can remain anonymous," Cella said, explaining that informants may be asked for a name and number only so that she can report back to them and ask them follow-up questions if necessary.
However, Cella said, any names and numbers she gets will be for her use only.
In turn, Cella will pass on pertinent information to police, who may initiate surveillance of the location, conduct an undercover investigation or seek a search permit for a raid.
"What we’re looking for (from neighbors) is who resides in the house," Cella said. "Even if you don’t have a name (for the person), it could be a nickname."
The prosecutor also wants neighbors to describe the type of suspicious activity at the nuisance location. Important information may include the number of people who visit the place and when they visit, along with descriptions. Authorities want to know if the illegal activity occurs outside the property or inside. They also want to know if the occupant keeps watchdogs, such as pit bulls, on the premises.
Neighbors should report who else lives in the house. Drug dealers have families, too. Many times, Cella said, a spouse and children can get caught in the middle of illegal activity.
Just as important, the prosecutor added, even if you know someone else has already reported a location, you should report it too.
"Complaints are cumulative, and that can be used in court," she said.
The D.A.’s public nuisance property hot lines are 215-686-5836 and 215-686-5858.
In other UHCA business:
o Residents approved a plan by property owner Frank Bell to build one set of twin homes and one single home on a residential tract at Ditman and Wingate streets. Bell is demolishing a home on the property. The existing structure is rundown and unsuitable for refurbishing, the builder explained.
o The civic association appealed to neighbors to turn out en masse for its inaugural Spring Extravaganza at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8512 Frankford Ave., on Saturday, May 19, from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
More than 400 letters have been sent out to local residents and businesses asking support for the community festival, with proceeds directly benefiting the non-profit civic group.
Admission is $25 and includes a buffet dinner, door prizes, live entertainment and family activities. There will be raffles and prize drawings, as well.
Organizers are seeking more sponsors, too.
For information, call 215-335-6799 or visit www.upperholmesburg.org ••
The next UHCA meeting will be held on May 17 at 7 p.m. at Marian Hall. A representative of the Community Life Improvement Program is expected as guest speaker.
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com