Civic group gets help
with nuisances

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

Capt. Deborah Kelly, commander of the 8th Police District, is planning to be a guest speaker at the monthly general meeting of the East Torresdale Civic Association on Nov. 12. But after hearing of numerous public safety-related complaints voiced by residents at the civic group’s September meeting, Kelly decided to get a head start on some solutions.
ETCA president Lew Halas reported to the civic group’s general members last week that the ETCA executive board has already met with Kelly about several local issues and is optimistic that progress will be made on them in the next few weeks.
And neighbors will be welcome to raise any additional concerns on Nov. 12.
"(Kelly) realized that there were some issues that East Torresdale raised, and she didn’t want to wait until next month," Halas said. "She wanted to get a jump on them."
According to the civic president, the captain has already begun looking into complaints of unleashed and potentially violent dogs in Pleasant Hill Park, drag racing on State Road and persistent late-night nuisances around the public boat ramp in the aforementioned park.
The unleashed dog problem dates back several years, neighbors say, and have become a daily problem. They claim that one particular pet owner spends a good part of most days in the park, which abuts the Delaware River in the 9200 and 9300 blocks of Delaware Ave.
The pet owner routinely lets two dogs run free, neighbors allege. The animals allegedly stray into private yards and have attacked people and other animals.
Neighbors say they’ve tried to speak to the pet owner but they have not been able to communicate their concerns to the owner, who had not been cited for any city code violations related to the animals.
According to Halas, Kelly has agreed to investigate the complaints and enforce the city’s Dangerous Dog Law, enacted by City Council in 2006.
Neighbors’ complaints about drag racing involve the same stretch of Delaware Avenue, as well as portions of Linden Avenue and State Road. Neighbors claim that hundreds of people congregate near the park and boat ramp on certain nights as racers show up with their hot rods for loosely organized competitions.
Late in the summer, Sundays seemed to be the big night. Not only do participants and spectators cause a ruckus with drinking and drug use, residents say, they pose a great traffic safety hazard when they migrate to State Road for the main event.
Neighbors say they often call 911 when they see the large gatherings, but everyone usually disperses by the time officers get to the scene. According to Halas, Kelly offered to inform the police radio room about the persistent problem so that complaints are dispatched to officers with a higher priority. That should result in reduced response time.
The captain agreed to crack down on other nuisance problems in the boat ramp area and park by using her own tactical squad and outside units, if possible. The biggest complaints are late-night noise, along with drinking and drug use.
In other neighborhood business, the civic association learned of a plan by a Central Pennsylvania-based police supply company to open a retail store on the second floor of a local Dunkin’ Donuts building.
Sean Conville, president of Atlantic Tactical of New Cumberland, reported that his firm recently signed a five-year contract with the city to supply its police officers with body armor. As a result, he wants to open a local store to serve his new customer base, the members of the PPD.
He believes the space above the doughnut shop at State Road and Arendel Street will suit his business, but there are restrictions on its use. Under a prior agreement between the ETCA and building owner, the second floor may be used only as corporate offices for the local Dunkin’ Donuts franchisee.
Conville assured residents that, if they consent to the police supply shop, he will keep a low public profile and conduct the vast majority of his business with sworn police and other legitimate public safety officers.
Besides body armor, the shop will offer uniforms, accessories and devices such as handcuffs and pepper spray. All items restricted to law enforcement officers will not be sold without the customer’s proof of identity, Conville said.
The business owner has yet to apply for a zoning variance, so no hearing date has been set.
The civic association postponed any vote on the proposal until after further discussion at its next general meeting.
The next meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m., at Liberty Evangelical Free Church, Linden Avenue and Milnor Street. ••
Reporter William Kenny can be reached at 215-354-3031 or bkenny@phillynews.com