City Councilman Mike Driscoll and Capt. Marques Newsome, commander of the 15th Police District, spoke at last week’s meeting of the 15th Police District Advisory Council.
Driscoll said, next spring, speed cameras will be installed on Frankford Avenue, from Grant Avenue to Harbison Avenue, to slow down vehicles that the councilman likened to cars racing in the Daytona 500. The speed limit on Frankford is 30 mph. Tickets will be issued for vehicles traveling 11 or more mph over the limit.
Driscoll also mentioned that speed bumps will be installed along all school zones in the city.
A couple of people in the crowd complained that, when the city sends someone to determine whether a residential block needs speed bumps, the worker comes at hours when there is little traffic.
Driscoll said a bill he sponsored that became law allows for the confiscation of vehicles that appear at well-attended “car meetups” and perform dangerous “donuts.” He added that Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel wants to send a message to those drivers.
Driscoll said cars can also be confiscated and $2,000 fines issued at loud “boom parties,” which mostly take place near the Delaware River. Often, the loud music can be heard on the New Jersey side of the river.
One man strongly disagreed with the confiscation of cars, claiming it will lead to dangerous high-speed chases. He described the law as “reactionary” and “heavy handed.”
Most people in the crowd disagreed with the man. Newsome said the only time police would engage in a high-speed pursuit is if the driver was wanted for a very serious felony.
The man was later ejected from the meeting after commenting on the appearance of a local teacher, a statement that the PDAC said broke its Code of Conduct.
Driscoll said the city will use the former Mayfair A.C. clubhouse, near Edmund Street and Bleigh Avenue, as a court to handle landlord/tenant disputes on Wednesday nights.
The councilman added that the city’s new Office of Neighborhood and Community Engagement might place a few staffers in the former clubhouse.
Newsome said the district will try to address complaints about illegal food vendors and car washes. The district is also working to prevent students at Northeast Community Propel Academy, 7500 Rowland Ave., from mouthing off to residents of nearby blocks and taking items from their property.
In other news from the Sept. 30 meeting:
• Sen. Jimmy Dillon’s office at 12361 Academy Road will host mammograms on Oct. 17, at 9 a.m. Register at 215-214-1682. Dillon will sponsor Halloween Bingo on Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. at Holy Family’s gym, 9801 Frankford Ave. Register at 267-878-3516.
• InnovAge’s LIFE Center, 4401 Megargee St., will host a fall resource fair for seniors on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Seniors will be able to dispose of medication. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. Call 267-865-6269.
• A free yoga class will take place on Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to noon, at Overington Park, 4600 Leiper St. Bring a blanket or yoga mat. The Overington Park Wellness Fair will follow from noon to 3:30 p.m. There will be food distribution, games, a live cooking demonstration, health screenings and resources. Friends of Overington Park will present a fall harvest fest on Oct. 26, starting at 2:30 p.m. There will be food, crafts, games, a spooky maze and a screenings of Monsters Inc. at 6.
• A Fall Family Day will take place on Sunday, Oct. 20, from 1-5 p.m. at Bridesburg Recreation Center, 4601 Richmond St. There will be a pumpkin patch, hayrides, a scarecrow-making contest, a pumpkin painting contest, a DJ, vendors and food trucks.
• Among those in attendance were aides to state Reps. Joe Hohenstein, Jared Solomon and Pat Gallagher, state Sen. Jimmy Dillon and Councilman Mike Driscoll.
• The 15th PDAC will meet on Monday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m. at Mayfair Community Center, 2990 St. Vincent St. The guest will be April Street, from the Register of Wills office. ••
