Take Back Your Neighborhood last week discussed proposed changes to Castor Avenue.
The proposal would change Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue, from two driving lanes in each direction to one lane each way.
Robert Rudnitsky, head of TBYN, said if something isn’t broken, there is no need to fix it, and that left-turn lanes aren’t needed. He said businesses will be disrupted during construction and will be hurt afterward due to double parking. He also noted that supporters of the plan did not contact the police and fire departments.
TBYN members argued that the bicycle lanes are not needed because nobody uses them on other neighborhood streets. In addition, they fear motorized cyclists will use those lanes. They also noted that the bike lanes will have to be repainted and pointed out that bicycling groups have not spoken in favor of the proposal.
Rudnitsky wants residents to stay engaged on the issue.
“Do not let your foot off the gas,” he said.
Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, said police officers responding to emergencies try to avoid one-lane roads with islands – such as Devereaux Avenue and Tyson Avenue. He acknowledged that Rising Sun Avenue is one lane each way, but noted that there is no island.
Mroz said officers like to use wide streets like Magee Avenue when responding to calls.
He said traffic will slow on Castor Avenue if a car breaks down and when a SEPTA bus stops.
If the proposal goes forward, he sees drivers using side streets more.
In other news from the April 15 meeting:
• Mroz encouraged people to attend a town hall meeting held by Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division, on Thursday, April 25, at 7 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road.
In response to questions, he encouraged people to call 911 if they believe someone knocking on their door is trying to scam them. He also said they should call 911 if they see car break-ins in progress. As for anyone who becomes a victim of a scam involving their driver’s license, he said they should make a police report and contact PennDOT and the three credit agencies – Equifax, TransUnion and Experian.
Mroz said Philadelphians who own Hyundai and Kia made from 2012-20 can get a free wheel lock at local police stations. Bring your driver’s licenses and registration.
• Rudnitsky showed a clip from Extreme Nightmare Tenants, a television show. In the clip, housing enforcement officers in England inspect a house packed with 30 residents.
Rudnitsky wants the city to hire quality-of-life officers who can check on similar issues in Philadelphia. Noise is an issue, he said, and quality-of-life officers can use a sound meter to determine if music is too loud and ticket anyone in violation. For now, he said residents should call 911 for loud music.
A landlord, he has a good neighbor policy in his leases and gives neighbors his phone number to report any problems with the tenants.
Rudnitsky is also calling on the city to repeal the Driving Equality Act, which prohibits police officers from stopping vehicles for infractions such as a missing brake light, bumper damage and an expired inspection sticker.
• Pearl Huynh, of the Northeast Philadelphia Chinese Association, spoke in favor of a city district health center at Friends Hospital. Huynh is a patient and advisory board member at Health Center 10, 2230 Cottman Ave., where she says waiting lists are long for appointments.
The city also plans a health center across from the Frankford Transportation Center.
One man at the meeting said the city should not put two new centers on the edge of the Northeast, adding that one of them should be farther north.
The Northwood Civic Association opposes the clinic on hospital grounds for several reasons, including the proposed demolition of a historical building.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will host an e-waste and shredding event on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to noon outside his office at 6434 Castor Ave. The truck will be behind the building in the parking lot. Rep. Anthony Bellmon is co-sponsoring the event. Call 215-342-6340.
• Take Back Your Neighborhood will meet on Monday, May 20, at 6:30 p.m. at Max Myers Recreation Center, 1601 Hellerman St. ••
