Police and local clergy members started going door to door talking to residents in an effort to tackle crime in the area. Last night they were particularly targeting the 19th Police District, ABC6 reports. The goal of this new initiative is to let residents in high crime areas know about what’s happening in their neighborhood, to hear from them about trouble spots and to see what police can do to help. “We want to know from residents if they’re having any problems; poor lighting, abandoned vehicles, vacant property,” Inspector Dennis Wilson told ABC.

Police are also talking to neighbors-property owners about what they should do to protect their property more effectively and encouraging businesses to install surveillance cameras and to register them with the city.

Next week the police are supposed to knock on doors of the 18th District‘s residents.

Police say that there have been no robberies similar to this one in the area. A stranger approached a couple who were sitting on their porch near 50th and Osage last night, about 4:10 p.m., threatened them with a gun and robbed them. Here’s what one of the victims wrote. She calls the robber “a scam artist.”

On Friday evening at 4:10 p.m. a man came onto our porch at 50th st and Osage. He claimed something was happening in the neighborhood and we needed to know about it, he seemed friendly… later he “admitted” he was sent to hurt my boyfriend and he wanted to be paid off. He threatened both of us with a gun. He then led my boyfriend to an ATM and demanded $100. He got it. He was about 5’8″, dark skin, jaundice yellow eyes, buzz cut, round features. He was between 35-40yrs old with a gut. He wore a yellow polo. He was very calm, collected, manipulative, and convincing. He sat on our porch and smoked our cigarettes while threatening us. I want everyone to be warned…

The couple alerted their neighbors about this incident and would like to warn everyone to be careful when answering your door to strangers or to go inside if you’re on your porch and see any suspicious behavior.

This dog’s name is Lucy and she currently is ACCT’s longest term resident by quite some time. For some reason the caramel colored dogs get often overlooked. Lucy is a 1-2 year old female Pitbull terrier mix. She’s on the smaller side weighing only about 40 lbs. Her previous family couldn’t keep her due to landlord issues so she ended up at the shelter. She has a beautiful brown coat with some white on her chest and toes. Her biggest attribute is her huge pittie smile!

Lucy’s stay at the shelter has been super special because she’s a member of the ACCT Penpals. Her Penpal is an employee at ACCT that spends one on one time with her, takes her on adventures, and is teaching her manners and new commands. Lucy loves her human friends so much that she tends to jump up when she sees them, but she’s learning that this is not very lady like. Lucy is learning to be a very classy girl. Continue Reading

Dylan Moore, a neighbor and an amateur photographer, has dozens of great photos from last week’s Dollar Stroll. Here are a few of them. To see more photos, please visit Dylan’s Flickr page.

Update (08/08): Charlie is still looking for his forever friend. Please email Don at dkushon@gmail.com for more information.

Charlie is a 1-year-old, handsome, super smart, athletic, water-loving, 60 pound, pit bull terrier mix. He was found hanging out on his own and was brought to the shelter on May 15.

He already knows “sit, down, touch, and watch.” He loves running or hiking in the Wissahickon and if you give him a chance he will dive in the water. He will retrieve sticks and can catch a frisbee. He travels well in the car. He’s very good with other dogs, and his body language stays loose and wiggly when they are around. He did wonderfully in a play group with six dogs. Even though he has a lot of energy he is getting a lot of experience chillin’ with his human friends inside a home.

Since July 1 Charlie has been living in Center City with his pen pal Don who is fostering him. He’s getting a whole new experience now that is way different from life in the shelter. He has a crate that he sleeps in during the night and while Don is away during the day at work. He’s starting to get used to his new routine and becoming more relaxed.

Charlie doesn’t have any problems with food. He gently takes treats when they are given to him. He’s up to date on all his vaccines and he’s even been neutered and microchipped. He has some manners to work on and he’s enrolled in a basic manners class on Thursdays at 6pm that began July 12 and runs for 5 more weeks at a place in Chestnut Hill called Y2K9. Anyone interested in Charlie would be welcome to join him in class.

Some things he needs some help with is wanting to jump on people, being too mouthy and getting overstimulated with larger toys like a soccer ball. These behaviors will definitely improve with training, as his friends at the shelter think. If you are interested in Charlie and have other dogs at home, you can have a meeting with him so you can make sure you all get along. If you have children 8-years-old or younger, bring them to meet him too!

Charlie is looking for his forever friend and can’t wait to meet you. His adoption fee is only $25 and includes his neutering, vaccinations, and microchipping. If you think you have a place in your heart for Charlie, please contact his pen pal Don at dkushon@gmail.com and arrange a meeting with him.

Duke is a 1 to 2-year-old young terrier/pit mix who needs a home where he can cover and then learn to be the best dog he can be! Duke is playful with toys but he’s not very good at giving them back to his human friends! He’ll need some basic training to help him learn that he can trust his human friends and play with toys nicely with them. He has several volunteers working with him to learn to trade a tennis ball for another ball or for a treat, but since he has come down with a cold his learning has been slowed.

He lived in a home previously, but was surrendered to the shelter because his owners didn’t have the time to get him through his puppyhood. Duke can be rambunctious at times, but all it takes is a few minutes of walking or playing fetch and he settles right into being a normal, happy, loving dog. He has met some other dogs at the shelter and was totally appropriate and friendly with them. If you have dogs at home please bring them along to meet Duke to make sure they’ll be the best of friends.

Also if you have cats please feel free to ask about getting Duke a cat test to see if he can live with them.

If you have questions about Duke or want to learn more, please feel free to contact his human friend at bragan.jen@gmail.com or contact the shelter where he is currently living directly.

Animal Care and Control Team (ACCT)
111 W. Hunting Park Avenue
(267) 385-3800 | phone

Adoptions
Hours: 1pm – 8pm, weekdays; 10am – 5pm, weekends
adopt@acctphilly.org

Foster Care
Hours: 9am – 6pm, everyday
foster@acctphilly.org