Members of the 15th Police District Advisory Council elected board members during their March 31 meeting at the Mayfair Community Center. Alan Leppert, of One Step Forward, is the organization’s new president. Joe Valecce of Council 21 Glassers was elected as the board’s vice president. Phil Pappas of the West Frankford Town Watch was re-elected secretary; Pete Specos of the Frankford Civic Association is back as treasurer; and Gina Panchella of the Northwood Civic Association again will handle public relations.
Members on March 31 honored several Officers of the Month. Officer Clive Austin, a familiar face on the Frankford Avenue business corridor, was praised for his crime-prevention abilities.
Officers Brendan Doris, Thomas Schaffer and John Miller got the January honors for the midmonth arrests of three people in a shooting incident of the 5200 block of Burton Street.
Officers Martin Klepac and Avery Roebuck heard a gunshot during a mid-February shift and apprehended two suspects. A third was later arrested.
Lt. John Ryan cited some recent crime statistics. During the 28 days before the PDAC’s meeting, homicides were down when compared to the same period in 2013, he said. Robberies with guns, however, increased 78 percent. Other robberies decreased 25 percent, he said.
Members of the 15th Police District Advisory Council will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 28, at the Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St. ••
