The Greater Bustleton Civic League last week discussed crime, the 4-H Club and UPS during a Zoom meeting.
Capt. Steven O’Brien, commander of the 7th Police District, spoke of two robberies/carjackings on the 1700 block of Strahle St. and one on the 8300 block of Summerdale Ave. O’Brien also mentioned suspects in a black SUV who exited the vehicle and robbed someone on the 8200 block of Eastwood St.
After complaints by neighbors about the dropping off and picking up of students at Anne Frank Elementary School, O’Brien and community relations officer Joe Staszak met with school officials. A crossing guard has been added, a blinking light repaired and officers have observed the situation.
In other news from the April 26 meeting:
• American Heritage Credit Union and 98.1 WOGL will host the 18th Annual Car Show and Member Appreciation Day. The event is free to attend and will take place on May 14, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 2060 Red Lion Road. All proceeds from the day will support the Kids-N-Hope Foundation and its mission to enhance the lives of pediatric patients through health and life services, specifically music therapy. Attendees can enjoy hundreds of classic, muscle and modern show cars as well as visit more than 40 vendors at the craft show and get a bite to eat at one of the food trucks, and families can enjoy activities in the Family Fun Zone, which will include a petting zoo, axe throwing, carnival games and performances by music therapist Yoyo. WOGL-FM will broadcast around the campus during the event. Car clubs and owners can register for the show prior to the event for $15 or on the day of for $20 and will be entered for a chance to win one of the 100 trophies. You can register by May 12 at ahcu.co/CarShow. Visit AmericanHeritageCU.org/events for more information.
• A 4-H Club is based at Fox Chase Farm. 8500 Pine Road. The club is for ages 8-18. Members raise pigs, sheep, goats and beef cattle, learning leadership skills, self-confidence and how to be responsible citizens. The School District of Philadelphia leases the land from Fairmount Park for a mere $1 a year, but charges the club $55 an hour for use. The club encourages people to sign a petition against the fees at change.org/FoxChase4HClub. The Friends of Fox Chase Farm is also concerned the school district wants to charge it a fee.
• The Bustleton Bengals are selling engraved bricks and offering a summer dance camp for boys and girls 5 and older on Mondays from June 20 to Aug. 15.
Also, the club will host the Lace Up for Lisa men’s 3-on-3 charity basketball tournament on May 15. The tournament will be played in memory of Lisa Dombrowski, who died last June. Proceeds will benefit Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center. The public is invited. There will be raffles, a DJ, T-shirt sales and concession stand. Games start at 8 a.m.
• The Red Tiger TKD Cup will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Bryn Athyn College’s Asplundh Fieldhouse, 2775 Buck Road, in Bryn Athyn. There will be competitions in sparring, patterns and special technique. Trophies and medals will be awarded to the top three competitors in each division. Call 215-969-9962 or email redtigertkd@gmail.com.
• The GBCL gave an update on the proposed UPS site at 1 Red Lion Road. The civic group and businesses on Sandmeyer Lane are appealing a decision by the city Department of Licenses and Inspections to grant permits to UPS for a 1.1-million-square-foot warehouse. The civic and businesses were unsuccessful in an appeal to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Now they are taking their case to the Court of Common Pleas. Neighbors worry about increased traffic and decreased home values. They aren’t against construction, but do oppose a plan that includes a multi-story warehouse with up to 500 loading bays.
Civic president Jack O’Hara is not happy that the Bustleton Bengals support the project. Vince Tarducci said the group backs UPS because of the jobs it will create, not the $3,000 UPS gave the Bengals. That money, Tarducci said, went to cancer-related charities following a wiffle ball tournament last August organized by his wife and son. O’Hara said a good source told him UPS will be giving the Bengals more money.
• Greater Bustleton Civic League will meet on Tuesday, May 24, at 7 p.m., likely on Zoom. ••
