Police matters and property issues were the main topics at last week’s meeting of the Friends of Summerdale Civic Association.
Complaints included a high fence placed outside a house on the 5500 block of Loretto Ave., barking dogs on the 900 block of Marcella St. and a possible illegal addition on the back of a home on the 800 block of Anchor St.
Lt. Thomas Macartney and community relations officer Mark Mroz, both of the 2nd Police District, spoke of a rise in home burglaries across the city. Some burglars are taking car keys from homes and stealing vehicles that are parked directly outside the home, either in the front or back.
“Take your car keys with you to bed,” Macartney said.
Macartney also suggested that residents who hear a break-in use their car keys to sound the vehicle’s alarm system as a way to scare off criminals.
The police officials did note that, while Philadelphia has seen a hike in murders early this year, the 2nd district has been immune.
Residents who place their garbage in rear driveways for weekly pickups should be on alert for trash pickers looking for more than trash. The police will stop suspicious vehicles driving in alleys, particularly on days and nights when it is not the regularly scheduled trash collection.
Police recommend that neighbors not show their PECO Energy bill to any energy company solicitors who knock on their doors.
Meanwhile, the Oxford Circle Police Athletic League is looking for children to register. Registration, programs, T-shirts and trophies are free.
There are whiffle ball and indoor touch football leagues for boys and girls age 6 to 14; an after-school homework club Mondays through Thursdays from 3 to 5:30 p.m. for boys and girls ages 6 to 12; and open-court basketball Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 to 9 p.m. for boys and girls ages 14 to 18.
A computer lab will be added soon.
Activities take place at Glading Memorial Presbyterian Church’s Neiheiser Hall, at Loretto and Cheltenham avenues.
Call 215–533–1395 or 215–291–9000, Ext. 165.
In other news from the Jan. 19 meeting:
• K&D holds a beginner’s two-step dance class every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Houseman Recreation Center, at 5091 Summerdale Ave. (at Godfrey Avenue).
The price is $6 per class. Dancers are asked to wear comfortable shoes, but not ones with rubber soles.
The dance instructors also offer choreography for weddings and special affairs.
Call 215–301–8426 or visit http://www.thesoftersideofdance.com
• Houseman Recreation Center also hosts a Zumba fitness class every Friday at 7 p.m. There’s a one-time registration fee of $5, and each class costs $5.
Also, it’s not too early for the recreation center to start hiring lifeguards for the summer.
For more information on the fitness class or the lifeguard jobs, call 215–685–1240.
The recreation center is congratulating the Philly Tar Heels, its 14-and-under boys basketball team, for winning the New Year’s Basketball Tournament at University City High School.
• Friends of Summerdale Civic Association will meet on Thursday, Feb. 16, at 7 p.m., at Houseman Recreation Center. ••
