Take Back Your Neighborhood discussed various challenges at its meeting on Monday.
Issues brought up included holdups and retail thefts at the Walgreens at 7201 Castor Ave. and an unlicensed day care on the 1100 block of Friendship St.
Some people blamed the Defund the Police movement and District Attorney Larry Krasner’s reluctance to prosecute retail thefts.
On other topics, the group continued its call for training for landlords, the hiring of quality-of-life officers and tickets for property owners whose tenants are causing nuisances.
Several people said they have complained to New York-based landlords who claim they don’t know English, with another person saying she encountered the same language barrier when she tried to address the unruly dogs of her next-door neighbor.
In other news, state Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a town hall meeting on Wednesday, Nov 17, from 7-8 p.m., at the new Solomon Solis-Cohen Elementary School building, 7001 Horrocks St.
At its next meeting, Take Back Your Neighborhood will hear about a proposed smoking lounge at 7106 Castor Ave. Members expressed initial opposition, but group leader Robert Rudnitsky said attorney Vern Anastasio is likely to put on a strong case.
“He can sell snow to a snowman,” Rudnitsky said. ••
