Capt. Joseph Zaffino, commander of the 7th Police District, on Sept. 25 encouraged members of the Greater Bustleton Civic League to call 911 when they see trouble and to keep calling.
As more calls come from an area, more officers will be assigned to that area, the captain said, adding, “They do look at the numbers” at police headquarters.
As far as crime goes, Zaffino said, “We had a great summer.” But, as always, it is property crimes — burglaries — that increase. Recently, he said, there have been some gunpoint robberies in the area near ATMs. He said a gray Taurus is being used by the robbers. Best bet for late-night withdrawals is to go to a well-lit convenience store with an ATM inside.
City Councilman Brian O’Neill told members that work will be done to improve Lackman Recreation Center, 1101 Bartlett St., and Hayes Recreation Center at 9850 Roosevelt Blvd. Almost complete, he said, is a small playground at Verree Road and Tustin that will have “universal access” for kids of all abilities.
The councilman said work is being done, too, to amend the city’s zoning code because it currently is illegal for a homeowner to park in his or her own driveway. “Your garage is considered your parking space,” he said.
Other issues discussed at the meeting:
• Membership dues will be rising to $10 per household;
• Jack O’Hara, league president, repeated his call for volunteers to help out with the league’s various committees;
• Residents were asked to participate in Judy’s Answer for Cancer 2.5 Walk or Run 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Pennypack Park, Rhawn Street and Holmehurst. The event is a fundraiser for the Fox Chase Mammography Van. Registration must be completed by Oct. 19. Call 215–742–8600 or visit www.fcc.edu or www.johnsabatina.com.
• O’Hara told residents they are eligible for two free trees per address by registering online between now and Oct. 31. When registering, residents can choose dates and locations to pick up their trees, attend a planting workshop and get free mulch to take home. Fruit trees are among the available trees. The yard tree program is a partnership of the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation, Wells Fargo and the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
The civic league’s next monthly session will begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the American Heritage Federal Credit Union’s Carriage House, Red Lion Road and Jamison Avenue.
The league’s phone number is 215–676–6890. The email address is gbcl19115@gbcleague.com. ••
