The Republican district attorney candidate spoke to neighbors of Lawncrest at their October civic association meeting.
Beth Grossman, the Republican candidate for district attorney, last week visited the Lawncrest Community Association.
Grossman, hired by former District Attorney Lynne Abraham, served for 21½ years as an assistant district attorney, working in every division of the office.
“You name it, I did it,” she said.
Most prominently, she headed the Public Nuisance Task Force.
“You’ve done a lot to make this community a safe place,” said longtime neighborhood activist Kathy Wersinger.
After leaving the district attorney’s office, she served as chief of staff for the city Department of Licenses and Inspections.
Grossman left that job to challenge Democratic District Attorney Seth Williams with a slogan of “Beth, not Seth.” But Williams pleaded guilty to a federal corruption charge and is awaiting sentencing.
“I will not tolerate public corruption,” she said.
Grossman faces Democrat Larry Krasner in the Nov. 7 election. If elected, she’ll focus on quality-of-life crimes.
The candidate believes her experience stacks up well against Krasner, a career civil rights attorney. She contends the district attorney’s office has to work well with police officers, noting that Krasner has sued the police department many times.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 is among the law enforcement groups that have endorsed Grossman, who argues that she has more compassion for victims and survivors of crime.
In response to a question, Grossman said she wants to empower police officers to evict squatters, whom she accuses of engaging in extortion.
“That has driven me crazy for years,” she said.
In other news from the Oct. 17 meeting:
• Bill Dolbow, the LCA’s normally mild-mannered president, was agitated because of the number of tractor-trailers parked illegally throughout the neighborhood. He said the trucks attract people who dump debris.
Dolbow credited 2nd Police District community relations officer Mark Mroz with writing tickets, but wants district supervisors to make it more of a priority.
• The Philadelphia Historical Commission hearing on Trinity Church, Oxford was continued until Nov. 10. The church wants to lease ground to Royal Farms. Some neighbors want to preserve the building, arguing that it is historic and adding that a Royal Farms store is not needed.
• The Navy Supply Corps Foundation will sponsor a craft fair and flea market on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Naval Support Activity Base, 700 Robbins Ave.
Vendors can call 267–736–7643 or email [email protected]
• The public is invited to a Veterans Day service on Saturday, Nov. 11, at 8:30 a.m. at the Lawncrest Recreation Center grove, 6000 Rising Sun Ave.
• The Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 7 p.m. at St. William parish hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
