Capt. Matthew Deacon, the new commander of the 2nd Police District, last week was on some familiar turf at the Lawncrest Community Association meeting.
Deacon grew up on the 400 block of E. Howell St. and attended St. William Elementary School. He has been with the police department for 12 years. He has worked in the 35th, 24th and 9th police districts and in Internal Affairs. He has been a captain for eight months, spending the last seven months in police radio. He has been at the 2nd for three weeks.
Deacon replaces Capt. Thomas McLean, who has been assigned to the department’s counterterrorism unit.
Community relations officer Mark Mroz believes the Lawncrest 4th of July Celebration was a success, other than kids setting off fireworks.
“Overall, it was a fantastic day,” he said.
Mroz invited members to two upcoming events. On Monday, Aug. 5, from 5 to 8 p.m., there will be information tables and other activities at the Target parking lot, Bustleton and Bleigh avenues. Residents of the 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th districts are welcome to what is a warm-up to National Night Out.
The 2nd district’s National Night Out celebration will take place on Tuesday, Aug. 6, outside Fox Chase Elementary School, 500 Rhawn St. A bicycle ride will kick off at 5:30 p.m. All participants will be entered in a raffle for new bikes. The rest of the activities go from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be pizza and water ice, and Mroz will serve as DJ.
• Hailey Stern, of the Philadelphia Water Department, presented a slide show that included information about green infrastructure coming to Lawncrest. Improvements include stormwater bumpouts, tree trenches and subsurface storage basins. When one woman complained that bumpouts will take up parking spaces near corners, Stern replied, “You’re not supposed to be parking there.”
• The Wawa at Rising Sun and Longshore avenues was recognized as Business of the Month.
• The LCA voted, 40-1, to oppose a variance for a proposed personal care home for four individuals. The property is at 6019 Lawndale Ave. (between Benner Street and Comly Street). The owner said she would have security cameras, but neighbors worried about parking and argued it is a residential area. The Zoning Board of Adjustment will hear the case on Aug. 7 at 3:30 p.m.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon told the crowd the state included $2.5 million (a 40 percent increase) in the budget for the Gun Violence Task Force in the city. The House also passed a “schools to work pipeline” bill to help young people find jobs. Solomon is also happy that the 2nd Police District will be moving to the old TruMark Financial Credit Union at 7306 Castor Ave. He also mentioned that cleanups along Rising Sun, Castor, Bustleton and Cottman avenues will be increased to two to three times a week. Asked about banners coming to the Rising Sun Avenue commercial corridor in Lawncrest, Solomon said the design is “not ready for prime time,” and they will not be unveiled until September.
• The deadline is Aug. 15 to buy tickets to the St. William Catholic Church 100th anniversary dinner/dance. The celebration is set for Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Ballroom, 2014 Hornig Road. All school alumni and former and current parishioners are invited. The cost is $50 and includes an open bar and buffet. For tickets, information or to volunteer, call the rectory at 215-745-1389, email the Rev. Al Concha at pastor@churchofstwilliam.com or visit churchofstwilliam.com.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will be holding a community picnic on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave. There will be free refreshments, a DJ, back-to-school giveaways and child fingerprinting by the police department. Children must be present to receive a backpack. Call 215-533-0440.
• The Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6500 Tabor Road, is hiring in its dining services department. There are jobs open for cooks, prep cooks, waitstaff and utility staff. Apply at pphfamily.org, or call Victoria Carr at 215-697-8040 to make an appointment.
• The LCA observed a moment of silence in memory of former city elections commissioner Marge Tartaglione.
• Election commission staff brought a new voting machine for residents to test.
• The Lawncrest Community Association will meet again on Tuesday, Aug. 20, at 7 p.m. at Monsignor James Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
