Lawncrest Community Association members received a crime update from two 2nd Police District officials.
Lt. John Barker and community relations officer Mark Mroz addressed the crowd.
There were no murders in the district this year at the time of the meeting, though that streak ended over the weekend when there was a road-rage killing near Summerdale Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard. The number of robberies, residential burglaries and thefts from auto have declined. In all six recent thefts from autos, the cars have been unlocked.
There were five robberies of pizza delivery drivers in the last month. Mroz said he would not be surprised if some pizza shops start taking payments only on credit cards.
Neighbors complained about persistent loitering at Rising Sun Avenue and Rosalie Street.
In other news from the May 14 meeting:
• Rising Sun Pizza, 6919 Rising Sun Ave., was honored as Business of the Month.
• John Helbig, of the American Red Cross, spoke of a blood drive on Tuesday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Police Academy, 2838 Woodhaven Road. To schedule an appointment, call 800-RED-CROSS. Helbig said any blood donors before June 10 will receive a $5 Amazon card.
• The LCA unanimously approved new signs for Freedom at Home Homecare, 6410-A Rising Sun Ave., and Sunoco, at Rising Sun and Adams avenues.
• The red light camera has been activated at Rising Sun Avenue and Levick Street.
• Neighbors attending a meeting for new banners coming to Rising Sun Avenue suggested a sun, fireworks and the words “Rising Sun Avenue” be included. The original design made Lawncrest seem a neighborhood of barber shops and nail salons.
• Bill Dolbow was nominated for another two-year term as LCA president. Connie Whitfield will remain vice president. Phil Grutzmacher will stay on as secretary. Sue Bogush will replace Jean Pleis as treasurer.
• A moment of silence was held in memory of Don Watson, a former 35th Ward Democratic committeeman and leader at Summerdale Boys Club.
• St. William Catholic Church will be recognized at the Lawncrest 4th of July celebration for its 100th anniversary.
Meanwhile, there will be a parish picnic on Saturday, June 1, from noon to 4 p.m. in the convent lot and memorial hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. The hall will be dedicated in memory of Monsignor James E. Mortimer at 3 p.m. The cost is $5 and includes a hamburger, hot dog, piece of chicken, corn on the cob, a serving of macaroni and cheese and a bottle of water. There will be games, bingo and prizes. Call 215-745-1389.
• There will be an American flag-raising ceremony on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27, at 8:30 a.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road. The ceremony will take place at the main entrance of Lawndale Manor. Refreshments will be served.
• The Protestant Home will hold its eighth annual wellness symposium on Friday, June 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the front parking lot. There will be blood pressure screenings, exercise classes, line dancing and light refreshments.
• State Reps. Isabella Fitzgerald, Jared Solomon and Jason Dawkins will sponsor a town hall and health fair on Saturday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave. There will be vision and hearing screenings. Call 215-342-6340.
• The Lawncrest Community Association will meet again on Tuesday, June 18, at 7 p.m. at St. William memorial hall. Water ice and soft pretzels will be served. ••
