The 48th Street Neighbors group and the University City District are inviting all neighbors to the “Welcome to the Neighborhood – Meet the Grassroots” event this Sunday, Nov. 18, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Studio 34 (4522 Baltimore Ave).

There will be an opportunity to meet some dynamic people and get information on resources and opportunities in the neighborhood. Come to this event if you want to be a part of this living, growing, and effective community. And you’re welcome to bring a friend, especially if they are new to the neighborhood.

Here’s a list of the neighborhood groups and organizations participating in the event: 48th St. Neighbors, UCD, Garden Court Community Association, Cedar Park Neighbors, Protecting Our Waters, The Children’s Community School, West Philadelphia Coalition for Neighborhood Schools, Fred Kauffman and “Heeding God’s Call” – a group dedicated to getting illegal guns off the street, Shakespeare in Clark Park, West Philly Tool Library, Camp Sojourner, Girls’ Leadership Camp, International Student Support Group, Books through Bars, A-Space, City Kitties, Curio Theater Company and others.

Also, the event will include local activist Iris Bloom leading a safety/self-defense session from 5 to 6 p.m.

Refreshments will be served. Please contact Patty Bulack at pbulack@gmail.com with any questions.

Kareem Drayton, the 19-year-old who pleaded guilty to rape and robbery charges stemming from a crime spree last fall, was sentenced to 15 to 30 years in prison today before his family and about a dozen members of 48th Street Neighbors, a group formed in the wake of his crimes.

Before the sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Catherine Thurston read aloud statements from the victim of the highly publicized gunpoint mugging and rape last September near 48th and Springfield, and from the 48th Street Neighbors group.

“Though I am often troubled by the portion of the population in this country that are behind bars, Kareem Drayton needs to be separated from the rest of the population,” the victim wrote. “No one on earth is responsible for where he is today other than Kareem Drayton.”

The statement from the 48th Street Neighbors spoke about the sense of loss and insecurity in the community that followed the crimes. Along with the rape and robbery, Drayton also pleaded guilty to other gunpoint robberies and assaults. All of the victims later moved out of the neighborhood.

“There is a deep sense of pain, anger, and grief for many of us,” the group wrote. “In the end, this is a loss to Kareem as well.”

The full text of the statement is below.

Following the statements, Drayton stood, drew a deep breath and addressed the court, his family and community members.

“I would truly like to apologize to my victims and the community I hurt,” he said. “I am not the monster you think I am.”

Drayton said he was “under the influence” when he committed the crimes.

Judge Ann Butchart referred to the victim and community statements while sentencing Drayton.

“Compassion is one of the strengths of our city,” she said. “There is a tremendous degree of compassion from the victim and the community members. That compassion gives me hope for our city and hope for the defendants who come into my courtroom.”

The following is the text of the “impact statement” from the 48th Street Neighbors delivered during the sentencing of Kareem Drayton:

October 18^th, 2012

 To The Court and to Kareem Drayton:

 I am writing on behalf of the 48^th Street Neighbors, which is a group of people that has joined together to create a stronger community. We began in response to the crimes Kareem Drayton is being sentenced for today, and so it is particularly important that we tell the court that we are here in support of the victims, who were our neighbors, and the ways we have been affected by these crimes.

 There has been a struggle to regain a sense of safety for us all, and a sense of loss. We are aware that all of the victims ended up moving out of the neighborhood, due to the trauma they suffered. That was a loss to us all, and to them. There is a deep sense of pain, anger, and grief for many of us.

 In the end, this is a loss to Kareem as well. Our community is full of people who would give him so much more than their money or belongings, if given the opportunity. We are teachers, social workers, mentors, mothers, fathers and prayer warriors. We serve people just like Kareem as part of our daily lives. And now he will not have the opportunity to know us for who we are because of his choices. He has cut himself off from these particular victims in a very profound way. This is a deep tragedy.

 Kareem, the material possessions that you gained through your crimes came at too high a cost. Your choice to ignore our humanity cost you too much of yours. Don’t allow anyone to encourage you to do that again, or to maintain that attitude towards us. It will cost you your soul. We can be so much more than how you see us, and you can be so much more than what you have allowed yourself to become. When you come out of prison, remember that about us, and yourself.

 We look for justice in this case. Please consider the seriousness of these crimes, and how the victims’ lives have been forever changed, and what they have lost as well as what we have lost as a community. Also, there are those of us who are praying for you Kareem, to turn and be changed to be a real man, one who can handle the truth about those around him and himself. Our hope is that what is decided here will serve both of those purposes.

 Yours,

48^th Street Neighbors

Kareem Drayton, who is accused of raping a local resident during gunpoint robbery in the Fall 2011 and a few other robberies, will be back in court on Friday, Sept. 7. Drayton initially confessed to the rape, but has since fired his lawyer and asked to withdraw his guilty plea and go to trial at his last court appearance, according to court records. The judge will consider Drayton’s request at Friday’s hearing.

Some members of the 48th Street Neighbors town watch group, which was created as a result of the Fall 2011 rape and robberies, were present at the previous hearing and are planning to attend Friday’s hearing to show their support for the victims.

The hearing will be in room 802, at the Criminal Justice Center (13th and Filbert), beginning at approximately 9:30 a.m.

Drayton’s alleged accomplice, 19-year-old Tyshanek Presley, was sentenced on August 13. About a half-dozen residents were in the courtroom for the sentencing, along with about 20 members of Presley’s family.

A judge on Monday sentenced the 19-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to robbery charges stemming from a gunpoint mugging and rape last year near 48th and Springfield to 6-12 years in prison.

Tyshanek Presley was also sentenced to 10 years probation. During the sentencing an assistant district attorney read a letter from residents who live near where the crime took place that detailed the impact on the victims and the community (see the letter below). About a half-dozen residents were in the courtroom for the sentencing, along with about 20 members of Presley’s family.

Community members showing up in courtrooms is still rare in Philadelphia, where fear of retribution has made many city residents reluctant to get involved in criminal proceedings. Town watch groups may help change that.

Earlier this month members of the West Frankford Town Watch were in court during the sentencing of a man convicted of straw purchasing guns, one of which was recovered at the scene of a shooting. The judge in that case issued a strong sentence despite the defendant not having any previous criminal record. Continue Reading

Reminder: The 2nd Porch Hop hosted by community groups 48th Street Neighbors and Mel-Lo Town Watch is this Saturday (Aug 4), from 5 to 8 p.m. See the list of participating porches below.

FYI, one of the Porch Hop organizers, Patty Bulack,  invites neighbors to stop by her porch after 6 p.m. for a jam session.  A classical singer will perform (Patty will be playing piano to accompany her), and sax and guitar players will be on hand.  Patty’s son will be on the drums. They are planning to play recordings from a newly released CD of a neighbor around the corner.

For more information, please visit the event’s Facebook page.

The neighborhood watch groups 48th Street Neighbors and Me-Lo Town Watch will jointly host another “porch hop” on August 4 as a way for neighbors to get to know each other better.

The hop will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. rain or shine. So far 11 porches spread across both sides of Baltimore Avenue are on the itinerary (see the map below). Snacks and drinks will likely be provided on each porch, but it never hurts to bring along some of your own, including some wine or beer.

Here are some more details: