Fox Chase residents heard from police and received updates on traffic changes coming to the neighborhood in an emptier-than-usual Town Watch and Homeowners Association meeting last Wednesday.
Mark Mroz of the 2nd Police District provided an update on the pit bull living on the 7200 block of Saul Street that’s killed two animals that the Times reported earlier this month. Officers responded to two dog attacks on the block in February, with both cases resulting in a pit bull killing a smaller dog.
In one of the instances, two kids who live at the house were teaching the dog to jump on a trampoline that was as high as the fence, Mroz said. The dog bounced over the fence and attacked and killed a Pomeranian.
A court case with the pit bull’s owner was held after the meeting and Mroz said he would testify the owners should not own the animals.
“I went in the house and pet the dog and it’s as friendly as it can be to human beings,” Mroz said. “With that in mind, you have to take precautions so the dog doesn’t get out and start killing other animals. They didn’t take precautionary measures the first or second time.”
Police issued $25, $100 and $250 fines for letting the dog run unleashed. If the family is allowed to keep the dog, they will have to abide by certain rules including paying a $500 vicious animal registration fee a year to the city, getting the animal chipped and keeping it inside or leashed muzzled at all times.
Joe Staszak of the 7th Police District said an arrest was made of someone who was stealing from cars, but reminded everyone to lock their doors. One stolen auto incident involved someone leaving their keys in the car with the car running. There was also a robbery on the 8000 block of Castor Avenue where the robber used a ladder to climb to an open window on the second story of a house.
Traffic changes
FCHA sergeant-at-arms Chuck Tucker provided an update on traffic changes that were proposed to come to Fox Chase town center near the intersection of Oxford Avenue, Pine Road and Rhawn Street and nearby areas. Department representatives toured the area last fall to see how driving and pedestrian safety could be improved.
Possible plans include adjustments to curbs to prevent cars from making fast turns, additional crosswalks on Oxford Avenue and pedestrian lights with buttons to press to cross safely. There could also be stop signs installed on Rockwell Avenue near the Fox Chase playground.
Everything is still in the proposal stage and is yet to be official. The meeting detailing these changes was cut short due to a gas leak and has yet to be rescheduled.
In other news:
- Police are hosting an ax-throwing fundraising event May 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mazhu Axes, 9806 Bustleton Ave. Funds raised will go toward the survivor fund, which aids families of police officers and firefights who died in the line of duty.
- Philadelphia Protestant Home has canceled events to keep its residents safe from coronavirus.
- Humans aren’t the only species dealing with quarantine. Dogs from Seeing Eye Puppy Fostering had to cancel their visit due to one puppy coming down with a case of not coronavirus, but kennel cough. The pooches will stop by at a later, safer date.
- Meetings happen the second Wednesday of every month at American Legion Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. For now, the next meeting is scheduled for April 8 at 7:30 p.m.
- The next time the organization meets, it will vote on this by-law change proposal: “The Association will oppose any expansion or reconfiguration of existing multi-family and mixed use properties that would allow for additional units.”
