Capt. Scott DiDonato, commander of the 7th Police District, told members of the 2nd Police District Advisory Council that violent crime is down 50 percent in the district in the last seven months.
“Kudos to my cops,” he said.
DiDonato, who was joined by community relations officer Mark Mroz, said there has been no change in residential burglaries, while commercial burglaries are down 35 percent, stolen autos are down 55 percent and thefts from autos are also on the decline.
In addition, arrests are up. The district also has a strategy to stop aggressive drivers.
The 2nd is working with Wawa, which, to some, stands for “Walk away with anything.” Fels students from North Philadelphia recently stole about $300 in goods from the Wawa at Rising Sun and Longshore avenues, but were arrested when they boarded a bus. Officers have also seen Amazon drivers, nursing school students and a trashman steal things from Wawa. They are recommending that Wawa put energy drinks, a favorite item to steal, behind the counter.
Wawa isn’t the only store to suffer retail thefts. A woman was found to have stolen some $90,000 from various Target stores.
The 2nd district has also assisted in removing abandoned cars and cracked down on illegal car washes and vendors, most of whom sell food, though a couple were found to be selling turtles and puppies. The district has also addressed the homeless issue near the Aldi at 7900 Roosevelt Blvd.
The district will take part in a Trunk or Treat and car show event on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., at Mission BBQ, 11000 Roosevelt Blvd.
In other news from the Oct. 8 meeting:
• The group observed a moment of silence in memory of slain police officer Jaime Roman.
• State Rep. Jared Solomon will host a health and wellness fair on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave. There is free parking behind the building.
Solomon will hold a veterans appreciation breakfast and resource fair on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Knights of Columbus Holmesburg Council, 3300 Knorr St. Veterans and their families are invited. RSVP by calling 215-342-6340 or emailing repsolomon@pahouse.net.
• State Sen. Tina Tartaglione will hold two upcoming senior expos, both from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The schedule is Friday, Oct. 18, at Juniata Boys and Girls Club, 1225 E. Cayuga St.; and Friday, Oct. 25, at Kensington CAPA High School, 1901 N. Front St.
• Upcoming 2nd PDAC meetings, all at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, will be on Nov. 12, Dec. 10 and Jan. 14. ••
