Sgt. Matt Lowe, of the 2nd Police District, provided a crime update at last week’s meeting of the Lawncrest Community Association.
Lowe said a good camera system at the Chick-fil-A at 811 Adams Ave. led to the arrest of a DoorDash driver who allegedly shot an employee in a dispute over a milkshake. The suspect and his vehicle were captured on camera.
Lowe, speaking on June 16, said the 2nd district has already set a record for murders in a year with 13. He said robberies are up 50 percent from last year in the district, while thefts from auto are also on the rise. Aggravated assaults with guns are down slightly, while burglaries are on the same pace.
In other news from the meeting:
• Lawncrest Recreation Center, 6000 Rising Sun Ave., has 75 kids in its summer camp. The swimming pool is scheduled to open on June 22. The advisory council will offer free movie nights on the second Thursday of the month at dusk at the outdoor stage. The dates are July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Oct. 13. Bring a blanket or chair. The rec center is also offering basketball, zumba and line dancing. Call 215-685-0597 or email [email protected].
• The Lawncrest Recreation Center and Library will be shut down for a year, beginning in the spring of 2023, for renovations following the completion of a lengthy design phase. The total price tag is $16.7 million, including exterior work. There will be a half-mile fitness path. An addition will include half-court basketball, where the outdoor courts are. Those courts will be moved to where the tennis courts are. Sidewalks will be added to Hasbrook Avenue and Lardner Street.
• The owner of 615 Glenview St. wants to add an apartment in the basement of an existing duplex. The living space would be a mere 400 square feet. Neighbors noted the small space, parking issues and possible fire escape problems. The owner will be back at July’s meeting before the case goes to the Zoning Board of Adjustment on Aug. 10.
• The owners of 6410 Rising Sun Ave. are seeking a special assembly license to hold baby and wedding showers and wedding receptions for 50 or fewer people. Outdoor lights and exterior cameras have been added. No alcohol will be served. The owners will be back at the August meeting for a formal presentation.
• Sabita Singh, store manager of the Giant at 2201 Cottman Ave., welcomed people to shop at the store daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The store, which opened in November, also offers catering. Singh mentioned that Giant will likely expand, and some residents suggested the company move into the former Pathmark at 840 Cottman Ave. That store closed in 2015. A discount supermarket opened there in 2018, but was a flop.
• A newly formed Rising Sun Avenue business owners association is meeting to promote safety and clean streets and to address noise and vacant properties/blight.
• Nancy Ostroff, of Take Back Your Neighborhood, told the crowd of what she and others believe was a secretive process to rename Woodrow Wilson Middle School as Castor Gardens Middle School. Ostroff is hoping to form an alliance of civic associations in the Northeast. “There’s power in numbers,” she said. Anyone interested can email her at [email protected].
• Fireworks will begin at about 9:15 p.m. at Lawncrest Recreation Center, Rising Sun Avenue and Comly Street, on Monday, July 4. A meeting to plan the 2023 July 4 celebration will be held on July 13 at 7 p.m. at the rec center.
• SEPTA will begin a project to enhance infrastructure as part of the Fox Chase Improvement Program. The work is scheduled to take place from July 5-29. During this time, shuttle buses will replace all trains from Fox Chase to Wayne Junction stations. For more details, including timetables, shuttle bus stop locations and suggested alternate routes, visit septa.org/foxchaseimprovement.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. ••
