Holmesburg Civic meeting debuts prison-system siren
By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer
Lou Giorla, commissioner of the Philadelphia Prison System, attended last week's Holmesburg Civic Association meeting, which was interrupted as planned at 7:45 p.m. for the debut of the prison system's siren.
The siren, based at the former Holmesburg Prison on Torresdale Avenue, had been active from 1996-98, but residents grew tired of hearing it tested.
Last October, a prisoner escaped from Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility and killed a Lawndale jeweler.
As part of the aftermath of that debacle, prison officials met with residents of Holmesburg, Mayfair, Tacony and East Torresdale to discuss ways to notify the community in case of a future escape.
In the end, officials brought the siren out of mothballs. It will be tested on the first Friday of the month at noon and can generally be heard within a one-mile radius.
"On a clear night, you might hear it on Tyson Avenue," Giorla said.
If residents hear the siren at any other time, that means an inmate has escaped from one of six prisons on State Road. The typical prison population is about 7,200.
While Giorla said most escaped prisoners do not like to remain in the area, he asked neighbors to pass on any information they might have.
"Help us be the eyes and ears of the police," he said.
In the event of a confirmed escape, residents can call 215-685-8345 for the name and description of the individual.
In other news from the March 8 meeting:
• Joan Przybylowicz, deputy director for external affairs at the city Office of Emergency Management, spoke about ReadyNotifyPA, a community alert system in southeastern Pennsylvania.
Individuals can register and receive alerts about flooding, snowstorms, major fires, road closures, transportation delays and other emergencies through e-mail or text messages.
The city prisons recently established a group on the system, and Giorla encouraged the crowd to sign up.
The system is flexible, allowing subscribers to choose the type of alert they'd like to receive.
"You can opt out of those alerts at any time," Przybylowicz said.
To sign up for the program, go to www.readynotifypa.org
• Bobby Henon, a Democratic candidate in the 6th Councilmanic District, promised to open a district office if elected. He faces Marty Bednarek in the May 17 primary.
Bednarek will appear at the group's April meeting. Sandra Stewart is the Republican candidate. Incumbent Democratic Councilwoman Joan Krajewski is not seeking a ninth term.
Henon, 42, political director of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98, lives in Torresdale with his wife and two sons. He is a former committeeman and coaches baseball and soccer at Torresdale Boys Club.
The candidate turned in more than 6,700 nominating petitions. The minimum required is 750.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22 have endorsed Henon.
If elected, he will advocate for the return of police foot patrols.
"It's a deterrent," he said.
Henon is also focusing his campaign on taxes, job creation and education. He promised to vote for increased funding for public safety and the Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP).
"I will be a voice for the Northeast down there in City Hall," he said.
• State Rep. Mike McGeehan recently moved his district office from 7731 Frankford Ave. to 7201 Frankford Ave.
Phuong Dang told the group that he wanted to open a barbershop in McGeehan's former office and wanted their support before he goes in front of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
However, civic association president Fred Moore told the young businessman that he'll have no success at the ZBA because of the Tacony/Mayfair Special District Controls, known as the "overlay."
Passed several years ago by City Council, it prohibits new uses such as barber/beauty shops, bars, consignment shops and employment agencies along Frankford Avenue from Harbison to Solly avenues and on Cottman Avenue between Leon and Erdrick streets.
After learning that news, Dang said he would ask the building owner to let him out of his year-long lease.
• The Holmesburg Community Center, at Rhawn and Ditman streets, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
Herb Moskovitz, the facility supervisor, is inviting the community to attend an open house on Saturday, May 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be a martial-arts demonstration and a Zumba workout. The police department will fingerprint children, and the local Town Watch, civic association and library will set up informational tables.
• John Sullivan, an aide to state Rep. Kevin Boyle, encouraged the community to visit the lawmaker's office at 7518 Frankford Ave. (at Oakmont Street) for state-related issues.
The office is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The telephone number is 215-331-2600.
• Holmesburg Civic Association's next meeting will be Tuesday, April 12, at 7:15 p.m., at Holmesburg Community Center.
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com