Capt. Andrew DiSanto and victims assistance officer Dave Brown spoke at last week’s 2nd Police District Advisory Council meeting.
DiSanto spoke of the Oct. 11 murder of 16-year-old Xzavier Gregory, who was found shortly before 4 p.m. with a gunshot wound to the chest at Frontenac and Teesdale streets in Rhawnhurst.
Police later arrested 17-year-old Saahir Mouzon.
DiSanto visited Northeast High School, where Gregory attended, following the murder. Northeast vice principal Mike Picardi attended the PDAC meeting.
DiSanto and Brown also spoke of an incident on the evening of Oct. 5, when officers responded to a report of a person with a gun near Bleigh and Whitaker avenues. Upon arrival, officers found a 29-year-old man with facial injuries and a gunshot wound to his left leg. Preliminary information indicates that the victim was exchanging custody of his son with his ex-girlfriend when an argument broke out with her current boyfriend. The suspect struck the victim multiple times in the face with a handgun before shooting him in the leg. The suspect then fled the scene with the ex-girlfriend.
DiSanto discussed traffic issues, saying newly installed speed bumps have slowed traffic. The captain said speeding remains an issue, likening Castor Avenue to the Autobahn, a German highway with no speed limits. A resident of South Philadelphia, he sees many 2nd district drivers doing the “South Philly Slide” through stop signs.
DiSanto said 2nd district officers, particularly those on the overnight shift, are doing a good job making car stops.
Brown said four drones are available for the 2nd, 7th, 8th and 15th districts. One of the drones made its way on Oct. 4 to Northeast High, where a brawl took place among Northeast parents and Abraham Lincoln players and coaches.
In other news from the Oct. 14 meeting:
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold a senior expo on Friday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Juniata Boys and Girls Club, 1225 E. Cayuga St. Call 215-533-0440.
• Northeast Hub Services, 6434 Castor Ave., will host an energy fair on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. On hand will be the Hace Community Development Corporation, Frankford CDC, New Kensington CDC and Penn Asian Senior Services. There will be information on utility bill assistance and other resources for income-eligible Philadelphians. Bring utility bills, ID and proof of income. To register, call Tracey at 215-609-1478. For more information, visit ecasavesenergy.org.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will hold a veterans appreciation breakfast and resource fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Knights of Columbus Holmesburg Council, 3300 Knorr St. Veterans and their families are invited. Representatives from various government agencies as well as public and private vendors will be on hand to discuss services available for veterans. To RSVP, call 215-342-6340 or email [email protected].
• The 2nd PDAC will meet again on Tuesdays, Nov. 11 and Dec. 9, at 6 p.m. at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, 6401 Martins Mill Road. ••
