Sgt. Matthew Lowe and community relations officer Mark Mroz, of the 2nd Police District, explained the use of body cameras at Thursday night’s meeting of the Lawncrest Community Association.
The 2nd Police District recently received the cameras. The 7th, 8th and 15th police districts do not have the cameras right now.
“We’re like the pilot for the Northeast,” Mroz said.
The cameras are made by Axon and feature a wide-angle lens and audio. They work, according to Lowe and Mroz. A body camera clearly showed that the man shot and killed by officers earlier this month in Logan fired a gun, hitting one officer in the foot.
So far this year, there have been 21 arrests for illegal guns in the 2nd district. That’s up from 14 at this time last year. Lowe said it was disheartening to learn that some young people illegally bought guns using their federal government stimulus checks.
Residents joined Lowe and Mroz in celebrating the news that 21 surveillance cameras have been placed along Rising Sun Avenue.
Noting that local businesses were looted following last year’s death of George Floyd, Mroz said he has visited merchants in the Roosevelt Mall and along commercial corridors, encouraging them to brace for more unrest as the Minneapolis police officer’s trial comes to a close.
As for suspected criminal activity, residents can submit anonymous tips at phillyppd.com or 215-686-TIPS.
The 2nd Police District is at 7306 Castor Ave. The phone number is 215-686-3020 (21).
In other news from the April 15 meeting:
• A moment of silence was held in memory of longtime neighborhood residents Mary Reichert and James McNally, who both died earlier this month.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold a coronavirus vaccine clinic on Friday, April 23, at the Baptist Worship Center, 4790 James St., for anyone 16 or older. To make an appointment, call 215-533-0440.
• American Legion Post 832, at 301 E. Godfrey Ave., could not financially survive the coronavirus shutdowns and has closed. The building will be sold.
• A petition was circulated to have a crossing guard returned to the busy intersection of Rising Sun and Longshore avenues.
• The civic association distributes boxes of food every Friday at 10 a.m. at the St. William Catholic Church/MaST Charter School parking lot, 6200 Rising Sun Ave. ••
