Mark Mroz, community relations officer in the 2nd Police District, last week presented a community service award to Take Back Your Neighborhood president Robert Rudnitsky.
The award was signed by Anthony Murphy, executive director of Town Watch Integrated Services.
Mroz thanked Rudnitsky and Take Back Your Neighborhood for donating bicycles for the recent National Night Out bike raffle.
The police officer said National Night Out for the 2nd and 7th police districts was a success, with up to 800 people attending the event in the school yard of Fox Chase Elementary School. Gov. Josh Shapiro was among those in attendance. In all, 23 new bicycles were raffled off.
In his crime report, Mroz mentioned the July 12 shooting at the Hill Creek housing project. One male was killed and four people were wounded when the gunman fired into a crowd. Capt. Andrew DiSanto, commander of the 2nd district, attended a peace rally that followed the killing and has increased patrols on site. Mroz said Hill Creek and Oxford Village generally don’t have the same level of violent crime as housing projects in other parts of the city.
Mroz encouraged people to attend City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson’s family movie night on Friday, Aug. 28, at Burholme Park, 401 Cottman Ave. There will be activities, resources and giveaways from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The movie Sing will be shown at 8 p.m. or sunset. Free snacks, refreshments and bookbags will be provided. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. From 6-7 p.m., Nancy Ostroff will lead a ribbon-cutting ceremony dedicating the Burholme Park Disability Bench.
Mroz fielded questions about a security guard hired by the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center, 1421 Tyson Ave., who stands in the middle of the street and holds a semi-automatic rifle. Mroz said the guard is licensed to carry the rifle. A recent arson caused damage to the mosque. An arrest was made. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Pennsylvania identified the suspect as Vincent Lang, 60, of the 3100 block of Longshore Ave.
TBYN members are also unhappy with the city Department of Licenses and Inspections and City Councilman Anthony Phillips for what they say is a lack of response on questions about the ongoing mosque expansion construction and the failure to hold a community meeting.
“This is three years now, we’ll get back to you,” Rudnitsky complained.
In other news from the Aug. 17 meeting:
• The civic group continues to oppose the planned “road diet” on Castor Avenue, from four lanes to three, with a left-turn lane. The group believes an independent survey of residents and business owners would show opposition. Rudnitsky sought to challenge state Rep. Jared Solomon – who is the leading supporter of the road diet – in the Democratic primary earlier this year, but dropped out of the race due to faulty nominating petitions.
• Solomon and fellow Reps. Sean Dougherty and Anthony Bellmon will sponsor a shredding and e-cycling event on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 9 a.m. to noon at Roosevelt Mall, 2329 Cottman Ave.
• Northeast Regional Library, 2228 Cottman Ave., will host a resume review and professional styling program on Thursdays, Aug. 27, Sept. 17 and 24 and Oct. 15 and 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Get job assistance from experienced professionals, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Also, take advantage of professional styling sessions and delivery package options. No appointments required. Last entry, 3:10 p.m.
• The Northeast Services Hub, 6434 Castor Ave., will host a farmers market on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• The Philadelphia Parking Authority Neighborhood Enforcement Unit accepts information on nuisance vehicles or illegally parked trucks or tractor trailers. Call 215-683-9620.
• Some neighbors complained about rats. Call the city’s vector control division at 215-685-9000. ••
