State Sens. Jimmy Dillon and Vincent Hughes announced $5.2 million in public safety initiatives during a news conference at Gifford Playground, 575 Tomlinson Road.
A $200,000 Department of Community and Economic Development grant will go to the Philadelphia Police Foundation to install 12 high-definition surveillance cameras at playgrounds such as Gifford and Lackman and shopping centers and busy intersections as identified by commanders of Northeast police districts.
Dillon said the cameras are intended “to stop crime before it starts.”
The Police Department will receive $5 million for initiatives such as
• Targeting illegal ATVs, dirt bikes and car meetups.
• Placing additional officers at high-priority schools during dismissal.
• Providing at-risk youth with positive alternatives.
• Distributing 1,000 Ring cameras to high-crime areas so video footage can be shared with law enforcement.
• Funding new uniforms, equipment and training.
• Expanding the Police Explorer Cadet Program, a mentoring program for young people interested in law enforcement.
“Congratulations, Northeast,” said Hughes, minority-party chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.
Among those at the announcement were Mayor Cherelle Parker; Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel; Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division; city Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson, a retired police lieutenant; Maureen Rush, president of the Philadelphia Police Foundation; Roosevelt Poplar, president of Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5; Capts. Scott DiDonato, Steven O’Brien and Nick DeBlasis, commanders of the 2nd, 7th and 8th police districts, respectively; City Councilman Mike Driscoll; state Rep. Pat Gallagher; and legislative candidate Sean Dougherty.
Parker led the crowd in saying, “Northeast Philly, Senator Dillon delivers.”
Students at nearby Loesche Elementary School held signs such as, “Building a Safer Northeast Philly Together” and “Safer Communities Start Here.”
“When Northeast stands together, crime doesn’t stand a chance,” Dillon said. ••
