Police Commissioner Kevin Bethel held a town hall at the Philadelphia Protestant Home, joined by other department leadership.
Accompanying Bethel were Deputy Commissioners Mike Cram and Myesha Massey; Chief Inspector Michael McCarrick (a former 2nd Police District commander); Inspector Frank Bachmayer, commander of the Northeast Police Division; and Capt. Andrew DiSanto, commander of the 2nd Police District.
The first question came from a woman complaining about the “revolving door” of 2nd Police District captains, eight since McCarrick left in 2012. DiSanto follows Capts. Scott DiDonato, Marc Metellus and Jim Kimrey, all of whom have served in the last two-plus years.
Bethel said transfers could be due to issues such as promotions, adding that he gives authority to other top brass to run their commands. The commissioner said he was surprised to hear of the turnover since early 2023, but suggested DiSanto will remain in place, at least for a while.
“We have absolutely no plans to move him,” Bethel said, “but you’ve heard that before.”
Bethel agreed to a woman’s request to do a walk through of Lawncrest and Summerdale.
“I’d love to do that,” he said.
One person complained that 2nd Police District headquarters, 7306 Castor Ave., is located in the 10th Councilmanic District (as are the 7th and 8th police districts) and asked for a sub-station on Rising Sun Avenue. Bethel said that would be “almost impossible” due to staffing issues.
While Bethel said the department is down 1,300 officers, he added, “The wind is at our back,” due to recent recruiting successes. DiSanto said the 2nd district has an adequate number of officers and supervisors.
Other complaints included illegal car washes and trash dumping on the 5600 block of Newtown Ave. (Snake Road).
Bethel said the department does not work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In response to a complaint of criminals being released soon after their arrests, the commissioner said that’s been happening since he joined the department in 1986.
“Our job is to enforce the law,” he said.
In general, the department believes Philadelphia has a relatively low amount of violent crime.
“It’s a pretty safe big city,” Cram said.
Some in the crowd offered praise for the department and, specifically, the 2nd district.
Linda Costello, president of the 2nd Police District Advisory Council, thanked police for making arrests in the March 2024 shooting of eight Northeast High School students at a SEPTA bus stop at 7300 Rising Sun Ave., near a Dunkin’ Donuts, in Burholme.
A woman thanked the 2nd district for its response to the airplane crash on Cottman Avenue, while a man credited police for shutting down a drug house on the 300 block of Gilham St.
As the town hall was open to anyone, a woman complained of persistent drug sales in the area of the 100 block of Sparks St. in Olney, in the 35th Police District. Bethel said the department will address the situation. ••
