Rhawnhurst Civic Association last week welcomed representatives of the 2nd and 7th police districts.
Sgt. Linell Jefferson, of the 2nd district, and community relations officer Al Fiorentino, of the 7th district, provided crime updates. Fiorentino said the 7th continues to deal with retail theft, particularly at the Wawa at 8144-52 Castor Ave. and the Acme at 8200 Roosevelt Blvd.
In other news from the Sept. 16 meeting:
• State Sen. Joe Picozzi announced that he will be opening a second office, at 8400 Bustleton Ave., on Oct. 5. Picozzi told the group that his Violent Incident Clearance and Technological Investigative Methods (VICTIM) Act to help law enforcement agencies solve more homicides and violent crimes was included in the 2026-27 state budget. The legislation also creates a grant program through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency that will provide local law enforcement agencies with resources to hire and retain detectives and investigators, modernize investigative technology and strengthen violent crime investigations.
Picozzi also said his bill to strengthen protections for motorists and crack down on predatory towing has become law. The legislation strengthens enforcement of Pennsylvania’s towing law by creating criminal penalties for those who knowingly violate consumer protection requirements.
• Rhawnhurst Civic observed a moment of silence in memory of Jean McCray, the group’s longtime secretary, who died last month.
• Two representatives of the Philadelphia Parking Authority were in attendance. The 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/
• Aimee Kremer, of Take Back Your Neighborhood, asked members to join a future protest outside the office of state Rep. Jared Solomon, who is spearheading a planned “road diet” that will change Castor Avenue, from Oxford Circle to Cottman Avenue, from four to three lanes, with a left-turn lane. Kremer said Burger King is among the businesses that oppose the change. She said the work has been pushed back a year to 2028.
• The groups discussed several zoning cases, including a proposal to build a 5-story, 60-unit apartment complex at Bustleton Avenue and Tustin Street. The applicant will present the plan at the civic’s November meeting.
• The Register of Wills will hold a Marriage Record Pop-Up event at state Rep. Ed Neilson’s office, 16 Old Ashton Road, on Thursday, Sept. 24, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. People must provide a money order for $40 for a certified copy of a marriage record.
Neilson and Register of Wills John Sabatina will hold a shred event on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9-11 a.m. in the parking lot of St. Jerome Church, 3031 Stamford St.
• State Reps. Sean Dougherty, 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.
Rep. Sean Dougherty and City 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, 2329 Cottman Ave. 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 215-331-2600 or 215-686-8295.
• The City Controller’s Office wants to hear from people concerned about their property assessments or issues with appeals. The office is auditing the assessment and appeal processes. Call 215-MU6-3804.
• Among those in attendance were representatives of Controller Christy Brady, Sen. Joe Picozzi and Reps. Sean Dougherty and Ed Neilson. ••
