Publications

CCRA met with Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams and discussed a number of neighborhood issues.  Among the most timely was the installation of new and refurbished Big Bellies, scheduled for mid to the end of October.  All the units will be combined trash and recycling units.  All new units will have footpedals; refurbished units will be designed with openings and no handles.  CCRA will be canvassing the neighborhood and recommending additional locations.  If you would like to participate in this survey, please contact the office.   We will keep the members informed as more is known about the installation specifics.   

CCRA learned that the Philadelphia 9th Police District is looking to hire 10 new bike officers.  While this is great news, we also learned that the bike officers have to pay for their own specialized bikes and equipment.  The money does not come from any city funds.  The cost is approximately $3,000 per bike officer.

The CCRA Board is considering making a donation to the 9th District to help shoulder these costs.  In connection with this effort, we are also soliciting additional funds from our residents and local businesses.  

If you wish to contribute, please make your check out to “9th Police District PDAC” and forward it to the CCRA office at 1608 Walnut Street, 12th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19103.

The issue of criminal activity in the area around 15th Street, from Market to Pine Streets, has been a matter of concern for some residents.  Many people are particularly worried about drug activity occurring in this area from 11pm to 3am from Thursday through Saturday nights.

CCRA is pleased to report that the new Captain of the Philadelphia 9th Police District, Robert Ritchie, has been able to secure much needed extra police resources in this area.  That is something not easy to do in a city, like Philadelphia, with tight budgets, and in a police district that is quite large.  As a result, the police have been able to increase arrests in the area around 15th Street.

Residents with specific concerns about the 15th Street Corridor or other policing issues are invited to attend the monthly 9th District Town Hall, which is held at the Precinct located at 401 N. 21st Street (by 21st Street and Pennsylvania Avenue).  The CCRA Government Relations Committee regularly sends two (2) members to attend these meeting

We will keep you apprised.  

Even if there had been attempts by a jingling ice cream truck to lure them away on a hot night, it would not have deterred the long line of adults and children at Markward Playground at 5:30 P.M., Wednesday, July 12.  They were waiting for the much anticipated event - The Friends of Firefighters, sponsored by CCRA’s Education and Family Committee.

For the third year in a row, Philadelphia firefighters from Engine 43, Ladder 9, at 2101-14 Market Street, parked their fire truck at Taney and Pine Streets and welcomed children of all ages to explore their world. The firefighters helped children try on their gear and sit behind the wheel of the fire truck and answered their questions. Just as their visit was winding down, the firefighters were called, and the engine had to zoom away, sirens blasting to fight a real fire.  Wide eyed kids and adults said it all!

July 12, 2017

Contact: The Reverend Donna L Maree, Trinity Memorial Church: 330-766-5904

What: Concerned faith leaders from Center City will gather at the tree on 18^th and Lombard to pray and publicly challenge the act of hate perpetrated to instill fear in African Americans and in our city.

Why: On Thursday, July 6, a noose was found hanging from a tree on the southwest corner of 18th and Lombard. This abhorrent act will not divide us. Though the hate crime was directed at our African-American sisters and brothers, it was also an attack on the values of tolerance and diversity upon which Philadelphia was built and that Philadelphians hold dear.

When: On Thursday, July 13 at 6 pm at 18^th and Lombard St., Center City friends and neighbors are invited to “take back the tree” through acts of love and prayer.  “We will make a witness of solidarity and concern for our sisters and brothers who are the targets of this hate crime, and we will make a statement that this sort of intimidation cannot be part of the city or the world we build together,” said Rev. Donna Maree, of Trinity Memorial Church at 22nd and Spruce Streets. (Rain date: July 14 at 6 pm)

On July 20 at 7 pm a public forum will be held to educate and inform residents about the severity of this act of intimidation, and to offer the opportunity for everyone to talk about its effects. “We will demonstrate that we will not be silent in the face of racism or complacent in our response to a challenge to community,” Rev. Maree added.  The forum will be held at Trinity Memorial Church, 2212 Spruce Street.

Interfaith clergy leaders of Center City Philadelphia meet regularly for conversation and to plan events to draw together neighbors in order to build a better community. The group represents Buddhist, Christian, Humanist, Jewish and Muslim traditions, drawn together with the Center City Residents Association.

Emergencies:  In the event of an emergency or the need arises to have police officers dispatched to your location to take a report or address something happening in real-time on the street or inside of your building, persons are asked to call 911.  If you want to act as a complainant, please tell the 911 operator this and provide your exact location so that a police officer can meet you and take a report from you.

Non-Emergencies:  Call 311 or the 9th Police District at (215) 686-3090.  If calling the 9th District, ask to speak with the Community Relations Officer, who is the contact at the station for any community issues that needed to be addressed.  In the event that the Community Relations Officer is unavailable, please ask instead for the Victim’s Assistance Officer. 

Panhandling and Homelessness Issues:  Residents should not call the police department unless the panhandling is aggressive and/or someone is obstructing the sidewalks.  Depending on how aggressive the person is, this is typically not a 911 matter and the Homeless Hotline should be called instead at (215) 232-1984.

Monthly Town Halls:  Captain Ritchie invites all residents to attend his monthly Town Halls, held at the 9th District Precinct (401 N 21st St, Philadelphia, PA 19130). Free parking is provided outside of the 9th District for anyone attending the Town Hall meeting.  To learn when these meetings will be held, go to the 9th District website.

NOTE FOR ALL RESIDENTS:  The 9th Police District territory is very large, including some high crime areas, which often take momentary priority. The officers and staff of the police have many duties and obligations to all citizens who reside in, work in, or come to visit places located within City, including Center City.

On June 14, 2017, CCRA’s Government Relations Committee held a public meeting with Captain Robert Ritchie from the Philadelphia 9th Police District regarding efforts to combat crime on the “15th Street Corridor” on 15th Street from Market to Spruce Streets. 

At that meeting, Captain Ritchie reported the following:

• He reassigned two (2) officers every Friday & Saturday night to the 1500 block of Latimer Street from 2:00 to 3:00 am. 
• He assigned a sergeant in the area to supervise and monitor the two (2) officers. 
• He has given specific instructions to the officers to ensure that everyone exiting the bars on 15th Street leave the area in a peaceful manner.  Any noise issues that arise will be addressed by the police.
• He reassigned on the 4:00 pm to 12:00 am shift from Monday-Friday two (2) bicycle officers to the 15th & Locust Street area.
• He has been attempting to secure additional off-duty officers from Thursdays to Saturdays between 10:00 pm and 2:00 am.  Private funding would be needed.
• The citywide Narcotics Bureau made seven (7) narcotics arrests on the 15th Street Corridor from 6/13/17 to 6/24/17. 
  

CCRA is extremely grateful for Captain Ritchie’s extra effort to protect Center City.

Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams announced yesterday that temporary street closures and parking restrictions to accommodate street resurfacing in Center City would begin on July 10, 2017. The resurfacing work is expected to be completed by early August.

The following streets in CCRA territory are scheduled for resurfacing:

• 20th Street from South Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Manning Street from 18th Street to 20th Street
• Chancellor Street from 20th Street to 21st Street
• Ranstead Street from 19th Street to 21st Street
• Commerce Street from 19th Street to 20th Street
• Delancey Place from 19th Street to 20th Street

The resurfacing effort will be completed in three separate phases – street milling, the adjustment of manhole covers and utility boxes, and final paving.  Milling work will be performed between 7pm and 6am.  Milling of each street segment is expected to last approximately two nights per street.  Manhole and utility box adjustments will be scheduled during the day between the hours of 7am and 4pm, and are expected to last approximately one week per street. Lastly, operations for the final paving will be performed between 7pm and 6am.  The final paving of each street segment is expected to last approximately two nights per street.

There will be parking restrictions in place to complete the work.  Temporary ‘No Parking’ signs will be posted in advance of each scheduled activity.  Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling around the work areas.