U. Holmesburg needs
more Town Watch help

By William Kenny
Times Staff Writer

In keeping with a nationwide tradition, Philadelphia’s Town Watch organizations always celebrate their annual National Night Out in August.
But Upper Holmesburg Town Watch president Lou Carboni thinks that organizations like his need to do a lot of community outreach work in the spring, too, so they can better respond to the increase in certain crimes typical of warm weather months.
During last week’s monthly meeting of the Upper Holmesburg Civic Association, Carboni asked residents to sign up for Town Watch and help police combat nuisance problems as well as serious crime.
"We’ve got to address crime issues, and (the issues) are going to come," Carboni said. "In today’s world, it’s tough to get anybody to do volunteer work, but with Town Watch, all we ask is three to four hours a week."
The Upper Holmesburg group plans to patrol weekend nights during the spring and summer. The neighborhood faces a wide range of problems, many of which are generated primarily by youths, including vandalism, theft and public drinking.
"You get kids who don’t care about anything. They’re destroying whatever they can," Carboni said.
Upper Holmesburg isn’t immune to more serious crimes like muggings, commercial robberies and burglaries.
As the "eyes and ears" for police, Town Watch members can report disorderly crowds and suspicious activity in the neighborhood before the problems escalate.
Participants can choose to patrol the neighborhood or to remain in their own homes as "block watch" members.
Carboni is collecting the names of those who want to participate so they can attend a mandatory certification meeting.
Those who patrol can travel by car, ride bicycles or walk. Patrols are a good opportunity to exercise and to greet neighbors. Carboni likes to walk his dog.
Upper Holmesburg Town Watch covers an area bordered by Frankford Avenue, Linden Avenue, Interstate 95 and the Pennypack Creek. Call 215-668-6760 for information.
The next Upper Holmesburg Civic Association meeting will be held on Thursday, April 17, at 7 p.m. at St. Dominic’s Marian Hall, 8532 Frankford Ave. Acting Prisons Commissioner Louis Girola is expected as a guest speaker. ••