New Capt. Scott DiDonato and community relations officer Mark Mroz represented the 2nd Police District at the recent Lawncrest Community Association meeting.
On March 12, a woman shot and fatally wounded a 26-year-old man in an apartment on the 900 block of Fanshawe St. The Homicide Detectives Division determined that the woman had a protection from abuse order against the man, who broke into her apartment. The woman has been released as the investigation continues.
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the March 6 shooting of eight Northeast High School students at a bus stop at 7300 Rising Sun Ave.
Police are looking to see if the suspect arrested in Virginia had help on the run.
The last suspect arrested was a 15-year-old alleged “spotter” inside Dunkin’ Donuts.
Target donated gift bags to all eight victims.
In other news from the March 21 meeting:
• The LCA voted, 12-10, to oppose legalization of an existing triplex at 632 Devereaux Ave. Attorney Vern Anastasio said two of the three units are occupied. The property is zoned for single-family housing, and the owner needs a variance. A Zoning Board of Adjustment hearing is set for May 8. Opponents cited an overuse of the property and concerns about parking.
• The city Department of Health outlined plans for new district health centers across from the Frankford Transportation Center and at Friends Hospital.
Funding is in place for both sites. The center near the FTC will be complemented by a grocery store and housing.
The center on the Friends site will be two stories and 55,000 square feet.
At present, there are eight full-service district health centers in the city. The busiest one, with long wait times for appointments, is Health Center 10, 2230 Cottman Ave. That site has been renovated, but there is no room to expand.
The two new health centers will be open weekdays, with expanded hours to be announced.
Opponents of the Friends site are unhappy about the planned demolition of a 19th-century Victorian cottage, “Lawnside,” built in 1859. Both Friends and Lawnside are designated national historic landmarks. The Philadelphia Historical Commission has approved demolition of the 175-year-old building.
• State Rep. Anthony Bellmon will hold a shredding event on Saturday, May 11, from 9-11 a.m., at the Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave.
• Inspector Frank Bachmayer will conduct a Northeast Police Division town hall meeting on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold a shredding event on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to noon, at Wissinoming Park, 5773-5945 Frankford Ave.
• The community is invited to take part in a cleanup of the area near the veterans monuments in the grove next to Lawncrest Library, 6098 Rising Sun Ave. The cleanup and plantings are set for April 6 from 10 a.m. to noon.
• Lawncrest Community Association will meet on Thursday, April 18, at 6:30 p.m., at St. William’s Monsignor James E. Mortimer Memorial Hall, Argyle and Robbins streets. ••
