Tess Williams, a community engagement coordinator with Philly311, discussed the service request program at last week’s meeting of the Greater Bustleton Civic League.
Williams said residents can call 311, email philly311@phila.gov or submit a request on the Philly 311 app. Requests can be submitted anonymously.
Williams said 311 is not the “doer,” rather it acts as a bridge to 12 city departments for service requests.
“We’re not the enforcers. We’re the recommenders,” she said.
Williams said, this year, the top two requests in the 19115 ZIP code have been trash and recycling, followed by abandoned vehicles and snow removal.
In other news from the Sept. 22 meeting:
• Capt. Steven O’Brien and community relations officer Al Fiorentino, of the 7th Police District, provided a crime update for September. An individual was struck from behind in Pennypack Park, near Verree Road, and robbed of a cell phone and $800. A jewelry store on the 8200 block of Bustleton Ave. was broken into, with at least $50,000 in goods taken. The back door of the former Steve Stein’s Famous Deli, 1619 Grant Ave., was broken into and $5,000 in food preparation equipment stolen and damaged. Someone stole $55,000 in tools and construction equipment from an apartment complex on the 12000 block of Bustleton Ave.
Meanwhile, the 7th district sends an officer to Anne Frank Elementary School to keep traffic moving as parents double park when dropping off and picking up their kids.
• Among those on hand were Madonna Duffy, of City Councilman Brian O’Neill’s office, and Bob Stewart, representing Register of Wills John Sabatina. Tom Campion, of the city Neighborhood Community Action Center, 9800 Roosevelt Blvd., said Oct. 5 is the deadline to appeal property tax assessments. Contact the NCAC at 267-496-3963 or NCACDistrict10@phila.gov.
• City Controller Christy Brady encouraged people to sign up for her Municipal Money Matters newsletter at controller.phila.gov
Brady, a Fox Chase resident, said her office will complete a performance audit on the city’s property valuation and appeals process by the end of the year.
The office previously released a report on a sampling of speed cushions, showing almost all of them too high or too steep, potentially causing damage to vehicles. The Department of Streets is fixing them. To seek reimbursement for damages caused by the cushions, motorists can fill out a form at https://www.phila.gov/media/20240920104240/Risk-general-claim-form-en.pdf
• State Sen. Joe Picozzi said he will open an office at 8400 Bustleton Ave., Unit 301, on Oct. 5.
• Rep. Sean Dougherty invited people to visit his office at 7801 Hasbrook Ave. or call 215-331-2600.
Dougherty and Reps. Anthony Bellmon and Jared Solomon will sponsor a shredding and e-cycling event on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at Roosevelt Mall, 2329 Cottman Ave.
Dougherty and Councilman Jim Harrity will sponsor Future Pathways, a jobs and college fair, on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Roosevelt Mall. Meet with employers, universities and organizations from a variety of fields. Snacks will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, email RepDougherty@pahouse.net or call 215-686-8295.
• The Philadelphia Parking Authority’s Neighborhood Enforcement Unit accepts information on nuisance vehicles or illegally parked trucks or tractor trailers. Call 215-683-9620 or visit PhilaPark.org/Enforcement/
• The Greater Bustleton Civic League will meet on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. at American Heritage Credit Union, 2060 Red Lion Road. ••
