In a quiet meeting, Fox Chase leaders discussed upcoming elections, community happenings and minor crime updates.
It was a quiet meeting for the Fox Chase Homeowners Association and Fox Chase Town Watch.
The organizations, which meet the second Wednesday of every month, presented no zoning issues and sparse crime updates.
The Homeowners Association will hold executive board elections in 2018. Anyone interested in running for a position should reach out to president George Bezanis.
Mary Doherty from Counseling or Referral Assistance spoke to neighbors about the nonprofit’s upcoming Know Drugs in the Northeast conversation series. The talk is aimed at families impacted by substance abuse.
As part of Mayor Kenney’s Task Force to Combat the Opioid Epidemic, CORA listened to neighbors, who requested informing neighbors about substance abuse, and how to prevent it.
Participants will receive in-person training in overdose reversal through Narcan administration, discuss drug addiction and misuse, and learn about recovery education.
The discussion will be held Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. at CORA Services Conference Center at 8540 Verree Road.
Joe Staszak, community relations officer for the 7th Police District, gave a relatively short crime update for the area. There were seven reported auto thefts, with three or four of them happening because of unlocked doors. One of the car thieves was arrested.
There was a pointed gun incident at a 7-Eleven convenience store on Sept. 24, one in a series of robberies in surrounding locations believed to be connected.
Staszak said the driver who struck the 84-year-old woman who was crossing Pine Road at Rhawn Street last Monday was arrested. The woman, Mabel Stottler, was pronounced dead Saturday, Oct. 14.
Staszak also addressed skimming devices being attached to ATMs in the area. He suggested tugging lightly on the machine to make sure no parts come loose, as the skimming devices will easily detach.
A Trunk or Treat event is being hosted at Chick-fil-A at 4670 Roosevelt Blvd. on Oct. 24. Police will hand out candy to kids and police cars will be decorated.
Resident Jean Gavin is collecting signatures for a petition to get sidewalks added to the 7700 block of Oxford Avenue. The block curves around a bend near railroad tracks, which Gavin said is extremely dangerous.
So far, she has collected more than 1,300 signatures by going door to door in Fox Chase and surrounding areas for months. The petition will be presented to City Councilman Brian O’Neill, even though he has already signed it along with state Rep. Kevin Boyle and Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross.
The next meeting will be held Nov. 8 at the Loudenslager Post at 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
