Second Northwood
group talks issues

While the Northwood Civic Association officers and board members fought among themselves last week, the Northwood Neighbors Association discussed some substantive issues two days later.
The association met on June 21 at Simpson Playground. Guests included Sgt. Bill Kleinkurt, of the 15th Police District; Assistant District Attorney Stef Karp Cella; and Kia Holloway, of Town Watch Integrated Services.
The group formed to discuss issues that some in the community believe are being ignored by the civic association.
There’s always the chance that the two groups could merge, depending on expected leadership changes within the civic association.
To further complicate things in the neighborhood, some residents want to create a homeowners association consisting of people who live within a deed-restricted area that allows only single-family housing.
Neighbors at last week’s meeting had complaints about abandoned vehicles and ice cream trucks making loud noise after 10 p.m. Some would like to see more police presence in the neighborhood.
Karp credited the neighbors with being proactive and invited calls at 215-686-5857 to make reports of drug sales in houses and bars.
Holloway urged residents to turn on their outdoor lights at night, especially on Aug. 7 during the annual National Night Out celebration.
Volunteers at the Northeast Youth Curfew Center, located at 4620 Griscom St. inside Frankford Group Ministry, reported that police have picked up about 200 curfew violators since April. Many of them are patrons of the Jamz roller skating rink in Mayfair who generally live in Northwest Philadelphia.
Curfew is 10:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The penalties are $25 to $300 for violators.
The center operates from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Volunteers are needed. Call Yvonne Downey at 215-744-2990.
The Northwood Neighbors Association will meet again on Thursday, July 26, at 7 p.m., at Simpson Playground, at Arrott and Large streets. ••