Be the eyes and ears,
Burholme is urged

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Anthony Murphy and Mark Mroz agree that new Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey will be good for the city.
Murphy, executive director of Town Watch Integrated Services, and Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, spoke at last week’s Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association meeting.
Murphy encouraged residents to become involved, whether as part of a large Town Watch or as the "eyes and ears" of their block.
In response to a question about whether Ramsey is considering the Northeast when he designs his anti-crime strategy, Murphy said the new commissioner will allocate personnel based on crime data.
"The resources generally go where the need is greatest," he said.
Mroz believes Ramsey, a former police chief in Washington, D.C., can work effectively with supervisors and the rank-and-file.
"Sometimes, you do need an outsider looking in who shakes things up a little bit," he said.
Murphy and Mroz both appreciate the work of the Burholme Town Watch. The volunteer organization likes to have two cars on patrol every Friday and Saturday night. The two-person teams are in communication with a base operator.
Mroz said the 2nd district is doing plenty to keep the streets safe during the day and at night.
The district has plenty of manpower at dismissal time at Northeast High School and Woodrow Wilson Middle School. Mroz described it as a virtual "babysitting" service.
At the same time, Mroz said the district is working with communities on a "safe corridors" initiative to give students a place to go if they feel threatened.
The district is involved with other outreach efforts, including working with principals to design school safety plans.
On Monday, Capt. Michael McCarrick, commander of the 2nd district, held the first captain’s forum in the district’s roll call room. Members of the public had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with McCarrick. There are plans to make the forums a monthly event.
In the summer, the district wants to offer youth programs at playgrounds. Preliminary plans include events such as movie nights.
June 21 is the tentative date for the annual community day at Roosevelt Mall. There will be health screenings and identification programs to deter bicycle and vehicle thefts.
The district also plays an active role in the daylong events during the Lawncrest 4th of July celebration.
In other news from the Feb. 21 meeting, held at Kennedy Crossan Elementary School:
• Audience members voiced various complaints, including the continued vacant properties at the Purple Orchid II, Ruhling’s Seafood Restaurant and JC Penney.
One woman mentioned that trash-pickers are stealing items from residential properties.
There was a brief discussion about whether Fox Chase Cancer Center would be able to find replacement land if it wins approval to expand into Burholme Park.
"There’s none around," civic association vice president Paul Andris said of available land.
A neighbor recommended that the money the cancer center will provide for the community could be used to improve the look of the five points intersection at Cottman, Rising Sun and Oxford avenues.
• Before the meeting, Kennedy Crossan principal Bill Griffin invited students to play the violin, lead the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and recite Marva Collins’ An Affirming Pledge to Myself.
• Burholme Community Town Watch and Civic Association’s next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 13, at 7 p.m., at United Methodist Church of the Redeemer, at Cottman and Lawndale avenues. A guest speaker has yet to be named.
Mayor Michael Nutter is slated to address the group on April 10. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com