In order to even begin planning what we might do about this issue, we first need to get an idea of the scope of the problem. To do this we want to continue to get an inventory all the boarded up/vacant houses in the neighborhood. This is where you come in!

Some weeks ago we sent around a survey to allow neighbors to report suspected abandoned properties. (Unfortunately, there are some inhabited buildings that only look like they’re vacant.)

If you see a house that is boarded up/vacant  click here to fill out this short form and send us the address and cross streets. This will feed into the inventory we have been keeping.

Thank you for helping to make our neighborhood a better place.

Wanted: Two or three outgoing, organized, energetic and vigilant volunteers to share in the task of organizing and leading our monthly neighborhood town watch events. The ideal candidate would have one hour per month (or every other month depending on how many leaders we can get) to lead a group of other like-minded folks for a stroll around the neighborhood to find and report property crimes, dumping, blight, damaged streets and sidewalks, potential illegal construction or non-permitted businesses. The town watch leader for the month will act as a point of contact for other volunteers who want to participate and will choose what section of the neighborhood the group will focus on. In addition to one hour of on-the-street work, the town watch leader will submit the findings of the group to the City through its 3-1-1 system. The Civic Association can be the direct link between the Town Watch leaders and the people at the City who can get things taken care of quickly.

Our next scheduled Town Watch walk is Saturday, January 14 from 11am to noon. We already have a few people who are interested in participating but we’re still looking for some good leaders to guide the group. The Board will provide advice and suggestions for first-time leaders to help them get adjusted to the job. It’s the best thing YOU can do for the neighborhood with the shortest monthly time commitment. Please email us at contact@passyunk.org OR chat with a board member after the general membership meeting on January 3.

We are currently seeking a volunteer (or a team of volunteers) to take over our Town Watch program. This could be a board-level position but is not required to be. So if you want to help out, and all you want to do is lead Town Watch walks once a month, please email us at contact@passyunk.org for more information. Thanks!

Passyunk Square Civic Association Town Watch meets on the Second Saturday of every month (coming up on August 13) at 11am and patrols the neighborhood for an hour. It wraps up at noon even if Batman himself shows up to help fight crime.

The July Town Watch was canceled due to lack of volunteers. We know that summer weekends can take their toll on participation on such programs. Heck, we kind of count on the summer migration to the shore to make it easier to park in the neighborhood. That said, we also know there are two or three of you out there who do stick around on the weekend and would be interested in helping out if only someone would ask. Consider this the ask.

If you are free on Saturday morning, please consider helping out. The group meets in front of the 3rd District Police HQ at 11th and Wharton. The purpose of the Town Watch is to spot potential problems (abandoned cars and houses, short dumping and litter, broken windows and street lights, open hydrants, cracked sidewalks, and the olfactorily obvious pet hoarding) before they become actual, very difficult problems.

We also welcome suggestions for how to increase participation in this activity (theme music? a frequent town watcher program?). Email townwatch@passyunk.org with your ideas.

In their continuing effort to make our community stronger and give neighbors a chance to get to know each other, Passyunk Square Civic Association and the Columbus Square Park Advisory Council are partnering up to host a National Night Out event followed by a Family Movie Night at Columbus Square Park (12th St. between Wharton and Reed).

National Night Out (NNO) is a nationwide event to promote neighborhood spirit and police and first responder partnerships in an effort to build a safer neighborhood. PSCA and CSPAC will give neighbors a chance to learn a number of safety tips from the police, fire, financial institutions (identity theft prevention), a local bike shop (bike security) and animal welfare (pet safety). And we’re following this up with a great night out at the movies!

Lawn Chair Drive-In is bringing one of its great outdoor movie experiences to South Philly and screening Iron Giant – a family friendly movie – for all to enjoy.

NNO events will take place from 5:30 to about 7:30 with the movie starting shortly after darkness falls. Come early to get a spot in front of the screen and enjoy what the NNO program has to offer (while also meeting some of your neighbors!).

One of the GTT’s victim’s told the story on Philebrity.com and included some video footage which gives a pretty good view of the bandit (a white male of average height and weight wearing a North Face jacket). So be on the lookout for this klepto-horticulturalist and keep a close eye on any unsecure plants in front of your house. Anyone with information about this should contact the police.

Read the full account of the the Green Thumb Thief’s exploits and see the video at Philebrity.

We would like your help in reviewing the proposed parking safety enforcement rules (see below) to make sure that these rules reflect the opinions of all of Passyunk Square.

Proposed enforcement rules for major streets within Passyunk Square:
- Posted no parking and no stopping zones
- Blocking of handicap ramps
- Parking on sidewalks
- Blocking of driveways
- Blocking of fire hydrants
- Double parking
- Parking too close to the corner

At 7pm (also at SPOAC), the Zoning Committee of the Passyunk Square Civic Association will be hearing the following cases which will appear before the ZBA in the near future:

1. 1332-36 S. 9th Street: Requesting variance for auto repair on the first floor with 4 apartments on the 2nd floor. Also requesting pilot house and 4 roof decks for apartments. Refused by L&I for auto repair and 4 apartments in R10-A (single family dwelling) and for height of pilot house.

2. 538-44 Washington Avenue: Applicant is seeking permission for a roof deck, pilot house and 5 accessory signs in R10-A zoning district (single family).

Please come by to express your thoughts about either of these projects.

Proposed enforcement rules for major streets within Passyunk Square:
- Posted no parking and no stopping zones
- Blocking of handicap ramps
- Parking on sidewalks
- Blocking of driveways
- Blocking of fire hydrants
- Double parking
- Parking too close to the corner

Where: South Philadelphia Older Athletic Center (Passyunk and Dickinson); Cafeteria (continue back past the main meeting room to the next door on the left)

When: Tuesday, June 14th at 6pm

If you can’t make it please feel free to email your thoughts to contact@passyunk.com and they will be read to the group.

If you have any suggestions for the Patrol on any matters, please share. Given that we have moved to a weekend schedule, we are open to input on the timing of the patrol as well as Saturday vs. Sunday. Also, if you have any suggestions on a specific route, please feel free to share.

Contact: Rob Flint at townwatch@passyunk.org or 614.425.6387 by 10:00am day of with suggested route or to let him know you will be there.

What to expect: Bring your observation skills, your sense of humor, and maybe a notepad and your camera (or your phone’s camera) if you’re really ambitious.

Also, if you have any concerns for the Patrol about anything or if you have any suggestions for a specific route, please share. You can email townwatch@passyunk.org with those ideas.

Date: Saturday, April 9

Time: 11:00am

Where: Front of the 3rd District Police Station at the corner of 11th & Wharton

Contact: Rob Flint – townwatch@passyunk.org – by 10:00am day of if you plan to attend

What to expect: Bring your observation skills, your sense of humor, and maybe a notepad and your camera (or your phone’s camera) if you’re really ambitious.