Port Richmond gathers again over crime
NO BULLETS were flying yesterday afternoon to spark a raucous community meeting like the one held two weeks ago at a Port Richmond tavern, but about 40 neighbors stuck to their guns and met again last night over neighborhood crime.
NO BULLETS were flying yesterday afternoon to spark a raucous community meeting like the one held two weeks ago at a Port Richmond tavern, but about 40 neighbors stuck to their guns and met again last night over neighborhood crime.
At the Cornerstone Community Church, at Frankford and Allegheny avenues, the group, unofficially named the Port Richmond West Community Action Network, held its first official meeting, including speakers from Philly3-1-1, CeaseFirePA, Town Watch Integrated Services, and the Police and Fire departments.
They gave advice on starting town-watch patrols, becoming 3-1-1 neighborhood liaisons and lobbying against gun violence, among other things.
A daytime shooting at Ann and Weikel streets Sept. 28 - the second shooting at that intersection in two months - along with alleged drug-dealing and curfew violations sparked the original plan to organize.
Michael Blackie, a community organizer and resident, arranged last night's speakers and led the meeting but encouraged someone else to take the reins.
"I'll facilitate meetings, but I'm not looking for a title," said Blackie, who has been vocal about local issues.
"You don't know how important this is," one woman said at the end of the meeting, thanking those who attended. "We have to stick together. We have to take back our streets."