East Torresdale: Multitude
of grievances for police captain

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

The East Torresdale Civic Association is hoping to welcome a local police captain as guest speaker at one of its upcoming general community meetings.
Members of the civic group already have a stack of complaints that they hope the police commander will help them resolve.
During the latest ETCA meeting on Sept. 10, residents highlighted problems ranging from drag racing on State Road to unleashed dogs in a local park. Many of the issues have been long-standing concerns, they said. They think it’s time to put them to bed once and for all.
Street racing has returned to the neighborhood, they say, and is both a safety hazard and public nuisance.
Neighbors reported seeing dozens of souped-up cars gathering around State Road and Linden Avenue late on Sept. 2 and again on Sept. 9. The vehicles and operators congregate in a "staging area" near Delaware Avenue and Arendel Street, then proceed to State Road for the races, noted area resident Doris Bell.
Neighbors complained of similar racing earlier this year, then the problem seemed to die down for a while.
Another area resident, Alice Urbanski, said she called 911 during the most recent session, but no police car arrived until the participants had left the area. Later, Urbanski said, she contacted an officer in the 8th Police District, but she got no assurance that a directed effort would be made to address the recurring problem.
"I just want them to put in a roll-call complaint and, if (patrol units) aren’t doing anything, they should come by here," Urbanski said.
Bell noted that the high-speed driving is dangerous to the participants, as well as motorists who happen to be using the public street at the time.
"How many people have already been killed (drag racing)?" Bell said.
Residents want some action on another traffic problem. They’re trying to get "no trucks" signs posted on Arendel Street and Linden Avenue, east of State Road.
Numerous times in recent months, large trucks have ripped down low hanging power lines while passing through the section known as Pleasant Hill.
However, they see no reason that any trucks, except local deliveries, should use the narrow, country-style streets because all of the streets eventually lead back out to State Road.
Besides the downed wires, trucks cause noise and air pollution and can damage the narrow streets.
ETCA first vice president Bernie Reidenberg reported that he would send a letter to City Councilwoman Joan Krajewski requesting the "no trucks" signs.
In another law enforcement issue, residents reported a rash of thefts in recent weeks in the same Pleasant Hill section.
Pat Weir, the ETCA membership and publicity chairwoman, reported that someone broke into her truck recently and attempted to break into her garage. Other neighbors said they’ve seen suspicious people wandering the section late at night.
Several residents, including Urbanski and Bell, are having problems with unrestrained dogs in the city park along the Delaware River in Pleasant Hill. The dog owner, they say, visits the park every day and lets the dogs run free. Urbanski claims that the animals stray into her yard. Bell is afraid to walk her own pet because she fears an attack by the other dogs.
The dogs have attacked other animals and people on occasion over the last several years, the women claim.
Urbanski said that she has called the 8th district to report the problem.
The next East Torresdale Civic Association meeting will be on Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. The public is welcome. Snacks and refreshments will be served. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com