Is Town Watch In Danger From City Budget Cuts?

Town Watch Integrated Services, the city program dedicated to getting residents to patrol their own neighborhoods, could be scaled back or even eliminated due to the city's growing budget crisis.  Anthony Murphy, Town Watch's executive director for more than 12 years, confirmed today that he has been told cuts are possible in its $1.1 million budget up to and including the program being "eliminated altogether."

The city contracts with the Greater Philadelphia Urban Affairs Coalition, which then funds Town Watch Integrated Services.  "We've had a long-standing and very strong relationship with them," GPUAC spokeswoman Mary-Anne Smith said. "They do great work."