Fox Chase Town Watch and Civic Association last week thanked 7th Police District community relations officer Joe Staszak as he attended the group’s meeting for the final time, as he nears retirement after 34 years on the job.
The crowd gave Staszak a standing ovation.
Steve Phillips, longtime president of the Town Watch, presented Staszak with a gift card to Iron Hill Brewery.
Staszak thanked the Town Watch and civic association for their support over the years.
As for crime, Stasak said the district has a retail theft detail that has been responding to cases at stores such as CVS, Wawa, Acme, Target and state liquor stores.
Also, an arrest was made after a residential burglary on the 2300 block of Fuller St.
Staszak has been a supporter of the Hero Thrill Show. The 69th annual show will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Wells Fargo Center. Tickets are $15 for individuals and $35 for a family (up to five). Proceeds pay for the college tuition of the children of Philadelphia police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. Go to herothrillshow.org.
The new community relations officer will be Al Fiorentino.
In other news from the July 10 meeting:
• Rockledge Police Chief John Gallagher spoke of a June 24 robbery at Rita’s. He said a calm, light-skinned black woman approached the counter at about 9:30 p.m. and handed an employee a note indicating she had a gun and demanding she “Give me money.” The woman was given an undetermined amount of cash and fled in a car. She was wearing a COVID mask, gloves and all black clothing and was described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and 175 pounds, with a blonde tint in her hair. Gallagher said he believes she has committed other robberies, based on how calm she was.
The police chief announced that Rockledge’s annual car show will be Sept. 15.
• Fox Chase Cancer Center chief operating officer Joel Helmke spoke to the group. He said the cancer center is focused on updating technology and modernization to provide leading-edge care. He said if the center decides to expand, it will not seek to build in adjacent Burholme Park.
• The 2nd and 7th police districts will hold a community bike ride on Tuesday, Aug. 6, at 5 p.m., beginning outside Fox Chase Elementary School, 500 Rhawn St. Participants will be entered into a drawing for a new bike. National Night Out will follow at 6 p.m.
Sen. Jimmy Dillon has replaced Rep. Kevin Boyle as organizer of the annual National Night Out celebration in the Fox Chase Elementary School yard. There will be a DJ, food and vendors. Call 215-695-1020.
• Among those in attendance were aides to state Sen. Jimmy Dillon and City Councilman Brian O’Neill; Burholme Civic Association president (and state legislative candidate) Aizaz Gill; former City Councilman and Burholme Civic Association president Al Taubenberger; state Senate candidate Joe Picozzi; and Rockledge Mayor Jim Caffrey. ••
