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Ask a Man-About-Town: Answers from a SW Philly block captain, Day 2
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Ask a Man-About-Town: Answers from a SW Philly block captain, Day 2
In Part II of our Ask a Man-About-Town series with Southwest Philly block captain David Adams (see right), readers demand answers about the dangerous holidays and getting shit done. (If you're new to this feature, catch up on what it's all about here.) Check back throughout the week for more Qs&As!
Q: How does a block captain get things done? I know it's tough to get people on my block to agree on much of anything. — posted by Brian Howard
A: First of all, the block captain goes door to door when block party applications have to be signed or when block cleanup days are scheduled. That is a good time to introduce one's self and make a friendly connection. Next, at least on our block, meetings are scheduled where the neighbors can receive information on city programs and add their opinions and input. We have an excellent family that allows us to use their home as a meeting place for that purpose.
We also have a Google [group], 49th Street, to use as an extra vehicle to disseminate information — be it new neighbors, new births, neighborhood alerts and news of interest (including block captain pieces in the City Paper). Once you establish a system of informing neighbors, it becomes second nature for them to come together and look out for each other.
Q: Why do you think the holidays are more dangerous? (Editor's note: Adams said the holidays were a more dangerous time of year in his introductory post.) — posted by Jo Philly
A: We have found that holidays, from Thanksgiving through Christmas, show an increase in personal crimes committed by miscreants who roam the neighborhoods in search of victims. The best defense is to stay alert and aware of your surroundings — especially at night, to take notice of trolling strangers who seem to be sizing up automobiles or homes, to make sure your doors are locked and nothing of value is left in view in your car and to look out for each other whenever possible. A Town Watch committee is also a very valuable tool for holiday safety. The two things that cause some people to steal are larceny in their hearts and opportunity. While we can't cure what's in their hearts, we can at least deny them the opportunity in our neighborhood.
This is a great feature.
[...] Ask a Man-About-Town: Answers from a SW Philly block captain, Day 2Philadelphia Citypaper (blog)… Howard A: First of all, the block captain goes door to door when block party applications have to be signed or when block cleanup days are scheduled. … [...]
[...] Ask a Man-About-Town: Answers from a SW Philly block captain, Day 2Philadelphia Citypaper (blog)… Howard A: First of all, the block captain goes door to door when block party applications have to be signed or when block cleanup days are scheduled. … [...]
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