State Sen. Joe Picozzi addressed the recent Fox Chase Town Watch and Civic Association meeting.
Picozzi, who turns 30 on April 22, chairs the Senate Urban Affairs and Housing Committee and is a member of the Appropriations Committee.
Picozzi spoke of Senate Bill 184, a measure he sponsored that became law. It would enable international team doctors to treat their players in Pennsylvania when Philadelphia hosts the FIFA Club World Cup this summer and the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Previously, each international doctor would be required to obtain a medical license from the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine to treat players, even for just a single match. The bill would exempt international team doctors from needing to obtain a Pennsylvania medical license to care for their athletes. International doctors would be limited to treatment of just their players and would be prohibited from practicing in all health care facilities in the state.
Meanwhile, the Senate passed a Picozzi-sponsored bill to strengthen penalties for individuals who harm public transit operators.
Picozzi is also exploring a bill that would empower a special prosecutor to handle crimes committed against Philadelphia police, firefighters and medics.
In response to a question, Picozzi said there are a couple of proposals for increasing the minimum wage, including a discussion of allowing each county to set its own hourly rate.
After hearing complaints about a nuisance property on the 8200 block of Verree Road, Picozzi said he would drive by to check the conditions.
Recently, Picozzi volunteers helped in the clearing of 4,000 tires dumped in Tacony Creek Park.
In other news from the April 9 meeting:
• The meeting included appearances by Capt. Andrew DiSanto, commander of the 2nd Police District, and his aide, Officer Sharrod Davis; Mark Mroz and Al Fiorentino, community relations officers in the 2nd and 7th police districts, respectively; and Rockledge Police Chief Oscar Horajeckyj and Cpl. Michael Schmalz.
Mroz said most crime is down in the 2nd district, with the exceptions of stolen autos and thefts from autos. There have been more than 2,300 car stops in the district this year.
Fiorentino distributed faraday bags, which help prevent car thefts by blocking the signal from your key fob so that thieves can’t pick it up. Car owners place their keys in the bags at home so thieves cannot take advantage of the push-button start option to steal the vehicle.
Fiorentino said a man in his 60s was arrested for a series of purse snatchings. He was caught outside the Target at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. in a car that had been stolen from the Citizens Bank Park parking lot.
Fiorentino also discussed combating retail theft.
“We’re hitting the Wawa on Castor Avenue like crazy,” he said.
Horajeckyj, who has been with the department for 37 years, said he has free steering wheel clubs.
“Come and get them,” he said.
• Meredith Barr spoke about CORA Services’ Family Navigation Center. Barr, a social worker, directs the program, which offers free support services for families as they navigate behavioral health, educational and mental health systems in support of their children. Call 215-701-2699 or email FNC@coraservices.org.
The 16th annual CORA for Kids Golf Classic will take place on Monday, May 19, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, home of the Truist Championship. Go to https://www.coraservices.org/annual-cora-for-kids-golf-classic/
• The 2nd Police District will hold Coffee with a Cop on Friday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Target, 7400 Bustleton Ave.
• The Easter Bunny will be at the 7th Police District, 1701 Bowler St., on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to noon. Children will receive a goodie bag.
• Dougherty will hold a senior expo on May 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CORA Services, 8540 Verree Road. There will be community resources and dozens of vendors. Call 215-331-2600.
• City Councilman Brian O’Neill will hold three events on upcoming Saturdays at his offices, all from 9-11 a.m. There will be an e-cycling event on May 3 at Bustleton Avenue and Bowler Street. A recycling bucket giveaway will take place on May 17 at 432 Rhawn St. A free shredding event, sponsored by Philadelphia Federal Credit Union, is set for June 7 at 11630 Caroline Road.
• Fox Chase Town Watch and Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m. at American Legion John Loudenslager Post 366, 7976 Oxford Ave. ••
