The city Department of Licenses and Inspections – Quality of Life brought its Business Education Enforcement program to Rising Sun Avenue in Burholme and Lawncrest.
BEE is a year-old program aimed at helping local businesses stay ahead of compliance issues.
Commissioner Bridget Collins-Greenwald and Quality of Life inspectors engaged with business owners, offering hands-on guidance and resources designed to prevent violations before they happen. Informational packets with flyers in various languages were distributed.
Collins-Greenwald and her team were joined by Police Inspector Michael O’Donnell, commander of the Neighborhood Nuisance Enforcement and Community Relations divisions; Assistant District Attorney Jim Dellafiora, supervisor of the Public Nuisance Task Force; City Councilman Anthony Phillips; state Rep. Anthony Bellmon; Phil Grutzmacher, Heather Miller and Dallas Hebert, of the Lawncrest Community Association; Dr. Louis Brown, of the Rising Sun Business Association; and representatives of the city Department of Commerce Mayor’s Business Action Team.
Collins-Greenwald said L&I has already visited Castor Avenue, Frankford Avenue and other parts of the city, and there has been a 65 percent compliance rate.
“So that’s great,” she said.
As for the businesses on Rising Sun Avenue with issues, L&I will return in three weeks to make sure they have been corrected. Inspectors look for issues related to fire safety, zoning compliance, licensing, permits, property maintenance, sidewalk sales, window signs and more.
“We don’t want to chase businesses out of the city,” Collins-Greenwald said.
Collins-Greenwald and her office met with every district councilmember to proactively address quality-of-life issues, with BEE the result.
So far, L&I has issued 50 cease-operation orders.
“That’s what we have to do sometimes,” Collins-Greenwald said.
Businesses with compliance questions can call 215-683-2100 or email [email protected]. ••
