15th PDAC recognizes
outstanding officers

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

The 15th Police District Advisory Council recognized James Putro, Cedric Carter and Edward Corson as the December 2007 Officers of the Month for arrests made in connection with two gunpoint robberies on Dec. 7 on the 2000 blocks of Anchor and Bridge streets.
"All three responded and did an outstanding job," said Capt. Frank Bachmayer, commanding officer of the 15th district.
Further investigation also connected the three defendants to at least 12 robberies, according to Bachmayer.
PDAC vice president Nancy Doerr asked members to remember community activist Peggy Hoch with a moment of silence. Hoch, who died Jan. 4, founded Tackawanna Against Drugs and was a tireless volunteer at the 15th District Curfew Center volunteer.
Hoch’s loss leaves only a few active volunteers covering the center, 4620 Griscom St.
Bachmayer, who has always stressed targeting quality-of-life crimes such as curfew violations and truancy as a means of attacking the larger crime picture in the district, also encouraged volunteers to come out to the center.
Tacony Civic Association member Mary Bonucci, who has volunteered at the center, assured those who were considering lending a hand not to be concerned for their safety.
In his crime report, Bachmayer told members that there were numerous thefts of Global Positioning Systems from autos since Christmas, "mainly in Mayfair and down in Bridesburg."
Bachmayer also reported an increased police presence in the Frankford Avenue and Foulkrod Street area following a Jan. 7 shooting in which a 15-year-old boy and a 39-year-old man were shot in the legs.
According to police, David Beckford, of the 1600 block of Fillmore St., surrendered to police on Jan. 15 in connection with the shooting. Also on that day, Trison Wilson of Lindenwold, N.J., was arrested. He is in Camden awaiting extradition to Philadelphia. Clarence Shelton, of the 4700 block of Hawthorne St., was arrested on Jan. 22. The three were charged with aggravated assault and weapons offenses.
Though arrests have been made, police are concerned there may be retaliation shootings, Bachmayer said.
In other business, PDAC president Scott Cummings read a letter from former 7th district City Councilman Dan Savage announcing that the organization was the recipient of a $6,500 activity fund grant.
Jerry Bolzak, executive director of Northeast Victim Service, was also on hand to talk about the non-profit agency’s services.
The agency, which cooperates with the police department’s Northeast division, assists victims in the 2nd, 7th, 8th, and 15th police districts.
While NEVS can’t help victims of property crimes, advocates can help victims of personal crimes apply for compensation for loss of earnings, stolen Social Security or pension benefits, medical expenses including home care, counseling and therapy, as well as funeral expenses.
The funds for those expenses come not from taxpayers but rather, fines from criminals, he added.
For more information about Northeast Victim Service, call 215-332-3888 or visit www.nevs.org ••