Next East Torresdale Civic Association meeting

In person at All Saints Church

Date & Time: November 11, 2024 @ 07:00

SPEAKER(S):
1.) District 6 City Councilman Mike Driscoll to discuss the state of the community and active ongoing initiatives and achievements.

2.) RCO Variance request presentation on behalf of 9230 Cambridge Street.

9/9/2024 Community Votes of Interest

ETCA 2nd Annual Cookie Baking Contest Winner Determined

Congratulations to Linda Hogan

Oatmeal Cookies and White Chocolate Cream Sauce

• 3tablespoons butter, melted
• ½cup sugar
• ¼teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups Quaker oats
• ½ teaspoon baking power
• 1egg, well beaten
• ½ teaspoon almond extract

Mix all the dry ingredients together; add the butter, extract and egg, and mix thoroughly.  Drop by teaspoons onto a greased cookie sheet and bake in a moderate oven (350 degrees F) about 5 minutes,  Remove pan while warm.

For extra flavor try a little cream with the cookie

White Chocolate Cream Sauce

• 4 ounces quality white chocolate (such as Ghirardelli)
• 1 cup sour cream
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Break up chocolate into a small heavy saucepan.  Place over very low heat until nearly all melted, stirring constantly.

Remove from heat and continue stirring until smooth.  Gradually stir in the sour cream, a few tablespoons at a time, beating with a spoon until smooth and creamy. 

Stir in the extracts and store, covered in the refrigerator.

Pleasant Hill Park Issues*

Situation

Incidents of loud music and other aberrant behavior in Pleasant Hill Park have increased over the last two to three years.

The situation has become intolerable.

Background

• Vehicle access to the Tacony Boat Launch has not been consistent for the past few years.
• Vehicle access to the Frankford Boat Launch is limited to times when there is a Philadelphia Parks & Rec Ranger present, which is also inconsistent. This is in response to the noise issues that closed the park to vehicles in 2022. 
• Station Avenue boat access is blockaded
• Individuals whose behaviors closed the other parks now come to our community with their negative behaviors in full display.

Assessment

• Police engagement has been sporadic at best.  The new captain, Nicholas DeBlasis, has returned to his role in the 8th District and has a long history of community engagement with our community organization on the topic
• Issues in the park seemingly take low priority status with the Philadelphia Police Department.

Recommendation

1. Close the park at 6 PM daily to dissuade bad behaviors during known problematic time windows.
2. Call for creation/installation of satellite police substation on park premises.
3. Redistribute and/or reconfigure resource schedules so that boat ramp support resources can be fully supported on operational days.
4. Refresh signage at all areas so codes of conduct are clearly delineated for all citizens.
5. Call 911 for all incidences of bad behavior. The city is data driven and the more calls that are placed should help redirect appropriate police resources.
6. Call the 8^th district directly at 215-686-3080 for unanswered 911 call/incidences of bad behavior.
7. Call Councilmember Mike Driscoll’s office to voice your displeasure over the situation at 215-683-9220.
8. E-mail Councilmember Mike Driscoll to express your displeasure over the situation at Mike.Driscoll@phila.gov
9. E-mail Police Commissioner, Kevin J. Bethel to express your displeasure over the situation at kevin.bethel@phila.gov
10. Join the ETCA @ https://easttorresdalecivic.com/ as there is strength in numbers. The fact of the situation is that the larger the group we become, the louder our voice becomes and the more attention we will receive from our elected officials and our civil servants.

Interventions To Date

• All Signage has been refreshed in the park areas by Philadelphia Parks and Recreation
  

• Traffic Calming studies completed by Philadelphia Streets Department or both Linden Avenue and Arendell Avenue

1. Speed cushions installed on Arendell Avenue in 5/2024

2. Linden Avenue (at Torresdale Boys Club and Pleasant Hill Park) is also in the queue for this year

• Philadelphia Parks and Recreation has dedicated Ranger resources on the Weekends in the summer months to help with the situation

• Philadelphia Police Department has committed to (2) dedicated OT resources at PHP for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays on fair weather days in the summer months to facilitate calmness and respectful behavior in the park area

*See Documents Folder for Current Issues List

Useful Community Web Sites