26th Police District responds to Fishtown Rec. Center incidents
Fishtown’s Interstate Drafthouse, 1235 E. Palmer St., which is next to the Fishtown Recreation Center playground, posted a video from security cameras outside the bar shortly after midnight on Nov. 17 which shows a few young-looking men in hooded sweatshirts throwing items into the windows of the bar, as well as participating in an altercation with bar patrons on the sidewalk outside the bar, during which one man was pushed into the side of a car parked on the street.
Commenters on the Fishtown.us message board discussed last week their concerns that young people who hang out at the Rec. Center late at night cause trouble in that part of the neighborhood. Some suggested gating and closing the Rec. Center each night.
The 26th District posted the following message on the forum:
“The 26th District is well aware of the situation and has been investigating it since we discovered it on Monday. All of the main players have been identified. Contact has been made with both them and their parents. All have been advised that any further behavior that disrupts the quality of life and public order of this great neighborhood will not be tolerated.
In reference to the Rec. Center, the 26th District Community Relations Officer has reached out to the Department of Recreation and requested that the lighting be increased and as also requested that the Rec. Center be closed and gated at 10 p.m. each evening.
We will also increase our patrols of the Rec. and the surrounding area. Sgt. Bullick and his Tactical Team will monitor the park when assigned to night work and all Supervisors from the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift have been forwarded the surveillance video and advised to handle the situation.”
Some residents in the neighborhood are also assembling a “Rec Advisory Committee” (RAC) to discuss how to help improve the Fishtown Rec. Center. There will be a public meeting about the RAC in early January. To get involved, email info@fishtown.org. ••
Columbus and Callowhill residences to include public retail and commercial space
According to PlanPhilly, Waterfront Renaissance Associates’ plan to build a four-tour, residential mixed-use development won Planning Commission approval last week.
The development, at Columbus Boulevard and Callowhill Street, will be built in four stages, one for each tower. It will contain 1,350 rental apartments.
For the nearby public, however, most likely those in Northern Liberties and Fishtown, the development will offer: two public gyms, restaurants and retail space, and perhaps a grocery store.
Called “Renaissance Plaza,” it will also contain an acre of public green space that could be used for other public events. A public walk will run from Front Street through the development, PlanPhilly said. The developer also intends to make improvements to Front Street from the project to Spring Garden Street and the El stop.
The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation requested several changes to the product last year, which were implemented — the height of the four tours shrunk, the number of units shrunk, and there is an enclosed parking garage rather than a surface parking lot.
The developer hopes to start construction in about a year. ••
East Detectives seeks help identifying shooter in Port Richmond
At 2:30 a.m. on Nov. 17, on the 2300 block of E. Somserset St. in far west Port Richmond, a 16-year-old male was walking along with two others when a dark-colored SUV approached them from behind. An unknown male exited the rear driver side armed with a handgun.
The 16-year-old was shot in his shoulder/neck, and was transported to St. Christopher’s Hospital where he was listed in stable condition. For more information and to view the surveillance video, visit bit.ly/1fsyF2U.
Anyone with information about the incident or suspects is asked to call East Detectives at 215–685–9962, or 215–686–3243. ••
