15th PDAC honors
volunteer of the year

By Diane Prokop
Times Staff Writer

Nancy Doerr wears many hats. The 15th Police District Advisory Council vice president is also involved with advisory councils in the 2nd and 7th districts. She’s a block captain, committeewoman and president of Rhawnhurst Town Watch.
Last week Doerr was honored as volunteer of the year for another of her contributions to the community — her tireless work as a volunteer at the 15th district Curfew Center, which opened on April 26, 2007.
Between July 1, 2007 and March 30, 2008, more than 500 youths were brought to the center, located at 4620 Griscom St. Most of those children probably met Doerr, who volunteers until the wee hours of the morning about three times a week.
During that time period, more youths were brought to that curfew center than any other curfew center in the city, according to Ron George, a project manager for the city’s Department of Human Services.
The center is one of 11 opened across the city last year as part of then-Mayor John Street’s Operation Safer Streets initiative.
Rather than pick up a curfew violator on the street and take him home, police transport the youngster to the curfew center, based at the Frankford Group Ministry, 4620 Griscom St.
After intake paperwork is completed, a staff member calls a parent or guardian, who must come to the center to get the child. If that adult cannot be located, the child is turned over to the care of DHS.
The curfew center is always in need of volunteers. For more information, call 215-683-5770.
Last week, curfew center staff and volunteers surprised Doerr at the PDAC meeting with flowers, balloons, a gift basket, a certificate of appreciation and a cash gift.
Capt. Frank Bachmayer, the 15th district commander, read a citation from Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey that honors Doerr. George presented Doerr with a citation from Mayor Michael Nutter.
"I was shocked, flabbergasted," Doerr said of the honors.
While she wasn’t sure in the beginning what impact the curfew center would have, she can see it now.
"Now the kids by word-of-mouth know we’re out there. It’s one of the greatest things they invented. Crime has gone down," Doerr said.
According to Bachmayer, violent crime in the district is down 6 percent this year. Shootings are down 7 percent. Thefts of GPS systems from automobiles earlier in the year drove the 15 percent rise in property crimes year-to-date.
Total arrests are up 12 percent, with truancy arrests up 32 percent and quality-of-life arrests up 21 percent. Curfew violations are down by 5 percent because juveniles know about the curfew center and run when police approach.
Also honored at the meeting were Officers Christopher Bullick and Joseph Waters for their heroic work rescuing a woman from a March 13 arson fire at her Ditman Street home.
The officers were traveling northbound on Ditman when they saw a juvenile female run out of a burning house. After a brief foot pursuit they took the girl into custody and called for the fire department.
Approaching the home, they could hear screams coming from the basement. The fire was too intense to enter through the front door but they found double doors leading to the basement, which they were able to open. The officers pulled the trapped woman to safety.
The woman told the officers that her daughter had threatened to set the house on fire minutes before the blaze. No one else was home.
Bachmayer presented the lawmen with officer of the month plaques. They also received commendations from City Councilman Bill Green (D-at-large) and City Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez (D-7th dist.), as well as state Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.)
Other items discussed include:
• The 15th district’s Community Day will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lincoln High School, 7400 Rowland Ave. There will be clowns, a moonbounce, live music, pretzels and give-aways.
• The 15th district will hold a fund-raiser on Saturday, June 21, at Cannstatter Volksfest-Verein, 9130 Academy Road, to benefit the family and honor the memory of Officer Gary Skerski. The former community relations officer was killed in the line of duty on May 8, 2006. Tickets are $25; $30 at the door.
Donations including gift baskets and gift certificates are welcome. For more information, call Officers George Lochner or Jennifer King at 215-685-8698. You can mail items in care of the above officers to the 15th Police District, 2831 Levick St., Philadelphia, PA 19149.
The evening isn’t so much about raising money for the Skerski family, but rather more about keeping the slain officer’s name alive and sharing some memories, Bachmayer said. ••
The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 27, at 7 p.m., at the John Perzel Center, 2990 St. Vincent St.
Reporter Diane Prokop can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dprokop@phillynews.com