The 15th Police District Advisory Council met last week, with Capt. Joe Ruff in attendance.
Ruff, who has 32 years on the job, is commanding the district while Capt. Marques Newsome remains on extended training.
Ruff said he will remain on the job until at least October.
The meeting took place on Aug. 25 at Mayfair Community Center, next to Mayfair Elementary School, and there were complaints that, on the first day of school, parents were already double- and triple-parking outside the school.
Ruff said he drove by the former Austin Meehan Middle School, which is housing Thomas Holme students until a new Holme is built, and described the parking situation as an “absolute mess.”
One suggestion was to have a staggered dismissal.
Other complaints included drivers parking on sidewalks on the 7000 block of Vandike St. and the 7100 block of Edmund St.
Also, there were reports of homeless people in the area of Keystone and Disston streets and near the OfficeMax at 7231 Roosevelt Blvd. People were encouraged to call the city homeless outreach hotline at 215-232-1984.
In other news:
• Northwood Civic Association will hold its fourth annual Cena En Blanc on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Northwood Park, from 5-10 p.m., 4701 Castor Ave. Attendees should wear all white, with a shade of blue to support police officers, and must bring their own tables, chairs, food and beverages. There will be basket raffles. For tickets, call 267-231-8165.
• Borski Park, 3101 Orthodox St., will host a free outdoor showing of A Minecraft Movie on Thursday, Sept. 18. Two food trucks will arrive at 5:30 p.m. There will be cornhole, volleyball, sack races and water balloon tosses at 6 p.m. The movie will be shown at dusk (around 7 p.m.). Bring your own chair or blanket.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold four upcoming senior expos, all on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Oct. 3 at Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St.; Oct. 10 at Cohox Recreation Center, 2901 Cedar St.; Oct. 17 at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St; and Oct. 24 at Juniata Boys and Girls Club, 1225 E. Cayuga St. Call 215-533-0440.
• Community Legal Services will be giving a presentation on its rowhouse protection project on Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at state Rep. Jared Solomon’s office, 6434 Castor Ave. Call 215-342-6340.
Power Interfaith will hold a state legislation summit on Saturday, Sept. 20, at Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. (at Hellerman Street). Doors open at 12:30 p.m., and the program runs from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The event will include remarks by Solomon and small group discussions with a lawyer, developer and local leaders. Topics to be discussed will be landlords/blight, home maintenance, development and housing affordability.
Solomon will hold a senior fair on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. There will be light refreshments and information on Property Tax/Rent Rebate, SEPTA Senior ID, unclaimed property and more. A free parking lot is behind the building. To RSVP or for more information, call 215-342-6340.
• The 15th PDAC will be receiving a $4,000 Philadelphia Activities Fund grant from City Councilman Mike Driscoll and $2,500 from Councilwoman Quetcy Lozada.
• Tacony Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at Quaker City Yacht Club, 5190 Princeton Ave.
• The Holmesburg Recreation Center, 4500 Rhawn St., will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be food, refreshments, face painting, an awards ceremony, a performance by the Star Players theater group and appearances by local businesses. Call 215-685-8714. ••
