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"West Philly"

Two men wanted after armed home invasion near 48th and Locust

Posted on 14 January 2013 by WPL

Police are still searching for two armed men who robbed an apartment on the 200 block of S. 48th Street on Friday afternoon and injured a 15-year-old boy who was inside. The apartment invasion took place at about 3:40 p.m. when the boy opened the door. Police say one of the men pointed to the apartment next door and asked if the victim knew someone named “Darryl.” When the boy said that he didn’t know anyone by that name both men pulled out guns and demanded money, according to a police report.

Police said that the suspects walked the teenager to each room looking for money and one of them struck him in the back of the head with a gun. The robbers took approximately $2,000 and jewelry. The boy was then tied up with a belt and a telephone cord and the robbers fled the apartment.

Reportedly, the family living in the apartment are of Cambodian descent and own a nearby business. This was the fourth break-in they experienced in about two years, ABC6 reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Southwest Detectives Division at 215-686-3183/3184.

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Tire slasher accomplice turns herself in

Posted on 12 January 2013 by WPL

Vandalism-5000-Hazel-Avenue

Screenshot from surveillance video on Philly Police Blog.

The woman seen in a surveillance video accompanying a man who police say slashed tires on nearly 60 cars early Monday morning in the Cedar Park neighborhood has turned herself in, a police source confirmed.

Police said the unnamed woman was accompanied by an attorney when she turned herself into Southwest Detectives on Friday. As of this morning, she has not been charged.

“This should be wrapped up shortly,” the police source said, adding that detectives had received a lot of tips about the incident.

The man seen in the video allegedly slashed tires on vehicles parked along the 4700-5000 block of Hazel Avenue and the 5300 block of Chancellor Avenue between 5:30 and 6:40 a.m on Monday. The police and the city have offered a total of $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandals.

 

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Download that app – Philly 311

Posted on 11 January 2013 by WPL

philly311aAfter publication of our post “Dear City, Turn on the lights in Cedar Park” a number of readers commented about their experience with submitting maintenance requests via 311 phone, online or Twitter service. But if you own a smartphone, one reader, Andy L., recommended downloading the new Philly 311 mobile app. The app came out just a few months ago and works great.

“It lets you upload photos and gives you status updates until it’s done. I just started using it, and it’s working for me. For best response, try to pick the right category, like graffiti, or dumping, or problem with a vacant property, abandoned car, etc.,” Andy L. recommends.

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A Cairn Terrier Mix looking for home

Posted on 10 January 2013 by WPL

Bug face looking up

This sweet, 8-9-month-old Cairn Terrier Mix followed a neighbor, Lena, home from Malcolm X Park about a month ago and since then has been living with her. Lena hopes to find a good home for him. He weighs about 30 pounds. He loves people and has lots of energy, so will do best in a home where someone is home most of the day to keep him company.

He is good with kids and other dogs and okay with cats but needs close watching as he likes to chase them. He has all shots and was scheduled for neutering Jan. 9. He has lots of puppy energy and loves to play and cuddle.

If interested please call Lena at 215-704-­9913.

bug side
 

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Block Leaders Workshop & Brunch this Saturday

Posted on 10 January 2013 by WPL

On Saturday, Jan. 12, the Cedar Park Neighbors community association is holding a morning workshop where you can learn about basics of block organizing, block beautification and vacant lot management. It’s a great opportunity to meet your neighbors and to learn how to be more proactive on your blocks.

The workshop will be held from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Calvary Center for Culture and Community (48th & Baltimore).

If you are interested in attending this event please contact Meg Ferrigno at: 267.241.7606; skyflowers0@gmail.com.

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Dear City, Turn on the lights in Cedar Park. Update: The lights are back on!

Posted on 10 January 2013 by WPL

CedarParkLight

Blackout in Cedar Park. (Photo by Amara Rockar)

Some neighbors in the Cedar Park neighborhood have been struggling to get some of the lights back on in the park. Several street lamps in the park have been dark for a few months. A request to 311 to repair the lights was submitted by neighbor Ryan Briggs on December 17, 2012 but was closed on January 1 when the Streets Department reported that “the light was found burning.” However, the request had been submitted to repair at least three lights and residents are reporting that now all but one of the park lamps are out, which presents a significant safety hazard.

Ryan wrote us and said that 311 now says it’s a Parks and Rec problem.

Another Cedar Park resident, Amara Rockar, also tried to submit an online maintenance request, including photos of the dysfunctional lights. She says that 311 is now telling her via Twitter to submit a new request under a different coding, which, she says, “seems pretty useless if citizens don’t know the exact correct coding for a particular situation.” Calling 311 is also not very effective since you don’t have a paper trail.

So while the struggle between the city and the residents is going on the problem remains unsolved and residents near the park are getting frustrated.

The 311 website is here.

UPDATE: We have received a response from 311 on Twitter:

UPDATE 2 (Friday, Jan. 11): We are happy to report that all but one lights in the park were back on last night (see photo below tweeted by Amara Rockar).

LightsCedarPark

 

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