Lt. Andrew Napoli, of the Police Marine Unit, last week addressed the East Torresdale Civic Association via Zoom.
Napoli said the unit handles dive operations and search-and-rescue missions and will address unsafe boating, but said such unsafe boaters usually stop when they see one of the police vessels approaching.
In all, there are four vessels that patrol the Delaware River and part of the Schuylkill River. Napoli said patrols are random, not scheduled, adding that the New Jersey State Police also patrols the Delaware River. The unit also is in contact with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
The marine unit is based on the Delaware River at Washington Avenue, near the U.S. Coast Guard.
Napoli declined to talk about manpower, but asked anyone who sees criminal activity on the Delaware River to call 911.
In other news from the Feb. 12 meeting:
• State Sen. Jimmy Dillon, City Councilman Mike Driscoll and Rep. Pat Gallagher are sponsoring a St. Patrick’s Day celebration for seniors on Wednesday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road. There will be breakfast, music, Irish dancers and a photo booth. RSVP to Michele Fleming at 267-878-3516.
• Dillon will hold a town hall on affordable higher education on Feb. 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Community College of Philadelphia’s Northeast Regional Center, 12901 Townsend Road. He will hold a senior expo on March 28 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at MaST Community Charter School III, 1 Crown Way. Dillon’s office has a representative from the Veterans Multi-Service Center on the second Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at his office at 12361 Academy Road.
• East Torresdale Civic Association will meet on Monday, March 11, at 7 p.m. at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 9601 Frankford Ave. Dillon will speak, along with Dr. Teresa Giamboy, director of Jefferson Health’s Lung Cancer Screening Program. ETCA will also hear plans for a tire and car maintenance proposal at 9901 Frankford Ave. ••
