Demands To ‘Stop the Violence’ Dominate Wilkes-Barre City Council Meeting

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Luzerne County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

WILKES-BARRE, PA — Desperate for answers in the shooting death of one son, Yvonne George pleaded to be heard in order to save her other child.

Her brief statement capped the raucous and at times unruly city council meeting Thursday night filled with other members of the black community fed up with violence in the city and demanding something be done to end it.

A photo of her son David George was on the collage of black-and-white photos above the words “Stop The Violence” on posters held up in the audience. The 24-year-old man was shot and killed July 18, 2013, on South Welles Street, the seventh of the city’s 13 homicide victims that year.

“I feel that the Wilkes-Barre police every time something happens with a black person down here, the first thing they say is is it’s drug related and it’s gang related,” the deceased man’s mother said. “My son was not in no gang.”

Read more: http://www.timesleader.com/news/news/50464272/

The Ku Klux Klan Group Running A Neighborhood Watch Just Across The Susquehanna River Says Its Pa. Membership Is Strong

Map of York County, Pennsylvania, United States with township and municipal boundaries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A white supremacist group sponsoring a neighborhood crime watch just across the Susquehanna River in York County says membership in Pennsylvania is strong.

But the leader of the Traditionalist American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan declined in an interview with PennLive to provide details of how extensive the group’s network is or who its leaders are because they are “somewhat discriminated against.”

“Members could be the guy who is delivering your pizza. It could be law enforcement from the local sheriff’s office. It could be the nurse taking care of you in the emergency room,” Frank Ancona, the organization’s imperial wizard and president, told PennLive reporter Eric Veronikis.

But Ancona did describe Pennsylvania as a “strong Yankee state” and said the Traditionalist American Knights’ reach includes “greater Pennsylvania,” West Virginia and western New York.

Read more: http://lancasteronline.com/news/local/the-ku-klux-klan-group-running-a-neighborhood-watch-just/article_c4117468-ca2f-11e3-9ecf-001a4bcf6878.html

In North Philly, Community Policing Is At Heart Of Crime Reduction

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Philadelphia County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

IT WAS ABOUT 8 o’clock Tuesday night, and the chilly, rain-soaked streets of North Philadelphia‘s 39th Police District were nearly empty as Officer Michael Levin’s Crown Vic crept across the blacktop.

But Levin, who usually works in bicycle patrol when weather and circumstances permit, was on the street anyway, keeping a watchful eye on the swaths of North Philadelphia, Nicetown, Germantown and East Falls that make up the district headquartered at 22nd Street and Hunting Park Avenue.

On this night, Levin, 28, a seven-year veteran who’s spent all those years in the 39th, reflected on community policing – a strategy favored by Capt. Michael Craighead, who took command of the district about a year ago.

“Bike patrol is really good for community relations. People come up and thank you. It’s a real good deterrent presence,” Levin said. “The community needs us and we need them.”

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20131201_In_North_Philly__community_policing_is_at_heart_of_crime_reduction.html#fFp8Qh2QAz94K1YC.99

Some Residents Ready To Take A Stand After Rash Of Recent Shootings In Harrisburg

Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Dauphin County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rather than giving in to fear in the wake of eight shootings reported in the city since July 30, some Harrisburg residents are taking a stand against further bloodshed.

Rallying behind the city’s latest effort to combat crime, residents from all over the city will meet at the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg on Monday to discuss future cooperation between different neighborhoods to stop violence and keep the street clean.  At the center of the meeting is Bryan Wade, the city’s new Community Policing Coordinator.

“Harrisburg in general is very fragmented, you have a lot of good things going on, but in terms of information about neighborhood and community safety and what each group is up to, it’s very fractured,” Wade said of the current state of community groups.  “I’m hoping to bring some more cohesion and unity to the process.”

Since early April Wade has been reaching out to existing neighborhood watch groups like the Friends of Midtown and the 18th Street Neighborhood Watch to marshal interest in the meeting.

Read more: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/08/some_residents_ready_to_take_a.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Zimmerman Is Acquitted Of Murder And Manslaughter Charges

SANFORD, Fla. — George Zimmerman, the neighborhood watch volunteer who fatally shot an unarmed black teenager, igniting a national debate on racial profiling and civil rights, was found not guilty on Saturday of the second-degree murder of Trayvon Martin.  He also was acquitted of manslaughter, a lesser charge.

After three weeks of testimony, the six-woman jury rejected the prosecution’s contention that Mr. Zimmerman, 29, had deliberately pursued Mr. Martin, 17, because he viewed the hoodie-clad teenager as a criminal and instigated the fight that led to his death.

Mr. Zimmerman said he shot Mr. Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, in self-defense after the teenager knocked him to the ground, punched him and slammed his head repeatedly against the sidewalk.  In finding him not guilty of murder or manslaughter, the jury agreed that Mr. Zimmerman could have been justified in shooting Mr. Martin because he feared great bodily harm or death.

The jury, which has been sequestered since June 24, deliberated 16 hours and 20 minutes over two days.

Read more:  http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/14/us/george-zimmerman-verdict-trayvon-martin.html?_r=0

Citizens For Pottstown’s Revitalization Upcoming Events

Hi All,

Summer is almost here, and you know what that means. Warm weather brings out the stupid and disruptive behaviors.  But we’re not fighting this alone!  We’ve literally got the law on our side!  Let’s start small by reviewing the local ordinances that are abused on a daily basis.  This month, let’s review and discuss the Pottstown Noise and Curfew Ordinance at our next meeting, Friday April 15, 2011.

Want to take a more pro-active role in crime prevention in Pottstown?  Here is an opportunity to meet several members of the Pottstown Guardian Angels. They’ve been patrolling several nights a week for almost a month and are always looking for more people to participate. 

 Agenda:

1. Meet the Pottstown Guardian Angels!
2. Review the Pottstown Noise Ordinance-Shutting down the nonsense before it even starts.
3.  Up-coming Events:

• April 17- Female Safety Clinic – Pottstown Karate Club (21 N. Hanover St.)- 1 PM
• April 19- 1^st day of Civilian Police Academy
• April 28- Community Meeting at Ricketts Center (Genesis Housing to discuss Mural Project amongst other topics– 7PM)
• May 21- Washington/Chestnut St. Garden Party- 10am-1pm 
• June 4- Washington/Chestnut St. Science in the Park 12-3pm (Need Volunteers)
• July 23- Harris Family Ministries- Stop the Drug/Stop the Violence Crusade (More info to come.

 

http://www.pottstown.org/PDF/Code_of_Ordinances/pdffiles/NoiseOrdinanceNo2058.pdf
http://www.pottstown.org/PDF/Code_of_Ordinances/pdffiles/NoiseOrdinanceNo2058.pdf
 
 Hope to see you Friday.  It’s never too late to get involved! 
 
Anna J. , Citizens For Pottstown’s Revitalization

CPR Events Calendar and Pottstown Police Witness Training‏

Greetings All!

 
The year is starting off with gusto!  Within the next few months there several events coordinated to keep us (the community) engaged in crime prevention and positive community development.  Please select the link to CPR’s Calendar of Events to view the entire calendar.  For March the Pottstown Police have developed a free Witness Training Program, giving the community the tools to recognize suspicious behavior and capture the important details that help them police more effectively.  Let’s start this spring out right and set a precedent in our community that Drugs, Crime and Violence will not be tolerated.
 
Starting in April, the Pottstown Police are sponsoring a Civilian Police Academy for borough residents.  They are currently accepting applications and this just looks awesome!   Check out the link to PPD for more details. http://www.truenet.net/pottstownpd/Civ%20Pol%20Acad.htm
 
Remember, MOST IMPORTANT component of a Neighborhood Watch organization is COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, so please stay involved and don’t lose hope.

Here’s a Preview of our calendar:

Friday, March 18, 2011
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Wi tness Training by Pottstown Police | Borough Hall (3rd Floor Council Chambers)

Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Sunday, April 17, 2011
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Womens Self Defense | 21 N. Hanover St. (Pottstown Karate Club)

Saturday, May 21, 2011
10:00p am – 2:00pm
Park Garden Planting | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Saturday, June 4, 2011
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Science in the Park | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Viva Pottstown!
Anna

Pottstown Neighborhood Watch Needs You!‏

There’s no time like the present to take back our neighborhood!  The message must be loud and clear that VIOLENCE, CRIME and DRUGS will not be tolerated in our community.  Please join us at the PAL Bldg. (146 King St.) @ 7PM on Friday-2/18/2011 to discuss the following topics on the agenda:

1. Pottstown Crime Statistics
2. Organizing a Pottstown Court Watch
3. Collaborating with the Pottstown Guardian Angel Chapter

All are welcome and participation is not required, you get credit for just showing up! So, tell your friends and we hope to see you there..

Please respond if you plan on attending @ Vivapottstown@hotmail.com

Tentative Neighborhood Watch and Events Schedule 2011
http://www.vivapottstown.com/ (CPR Website)
Friday, February 18, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Sunday, February 20, 2011
1:00pm – 2:00pm
Patrol Training by Guardian Angels (1h) | 21 N. Hanover (Pottstown Karate Club)

Friday, March 18, 2011
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Witness Training by Pottstown Police (1h) | Borough Hall (3rd Floor Council Chambers)

Friday, April 15, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Saturday, June 4, 2011
12:00pm – 4:00pm
Science in the Park (4h) | Washington/Chestnut St. Park

Friday, June 17, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhoo d Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, August 19, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, October 21, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Friday, December 16, 2011
7:00pm – 7:45pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting (45m) | PAL Bldg (146 King St.)

Citizen’s For Pottstown’s Revitalization (CPR) – Thoughts For The New Year And Upcoming Events

Image via Wikipedia

I am pleased to pass on this important information from CPR!

Happy New Year All!!

The start of a new year brings the promise of renewed hope and energy into revitalizing Pottstown.  This momentum  is pushing us towards new possibilities and uncharted territory of growth and progress.  The winter’s festivities brought in an unprecedented number of revelers, proving that Pottstown still has heart and promise.  Despite our many differences of opinion and spirited discourses we ultimately share the same goal; to live in a safe environment.  The way we achieve this goal is to stay involved!  You can now stay in touch with the Pottstown Neighborhood Watch through Facebook- search Citizens for Pottstown’s Revitalization (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Citizens-For-Pottstowns-Revitilization/143692659014127?v=wall). Please join us at the following events listed below.

January 16, 2011 @ 1PM : Female Safety Clinic (PKC-21 North Hanover St.) Space is limited so please RSPV to  610 327 1321 and leave a message.

February 18, 2011 @ 7PM : Neighborhood Watch Meeting (146 King St. PAL Bldg.) 

March 2011 (Date to be determined) Witness Training by Pottstown Police.      

I hope this new year brings each of you happiness, health and the energy to take back our town!! 

  

Anna Johnson