Kensington residents hear of new police effort, with foot patrols

One of the city's most hardscrabble neighborhoods, Kensington has its share of problems: playgrounds littered with glass, weed-filled corner lots dotted with trash and broken-down cars rusting in front of abandoned homes.

In spite of the gloom, Philadelphia police hope that a new citywide program - Police Service Area, or PSA, aimed at refocusing patrol efforts and addressing community concerns - will mean a new day for those who call Kensington home.

"[Problems] didn't happen overnight," Daniel Castro, commanding officer of the 24th District, said last night as he met with residents of his district. "This will not be resolved overnight."

But about 30 people from the district met with Castro at Iglesia Adventista del 7th Dia, a church on Allegheny Avenue near Weymouth Street, to air concerns about those problems, and they ended up getting an advance showing of the new program. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey plans to officially announce the program on April 26, Castro said.

The community-policing initiative will take officers out of their patrol cars and turn them into beat cops who will walk the streets for short periods in four to six districts throughout the city, he said.

Foot patrol will help officers build relationships with residents on their beat and consequently, encourage residents to maintain their block, Castro said.

Shift commanders will also host monthly community meetings and officers will work with government agencies and civic groups on problems ranging from quality-of-life issues to drugs.

A similar initiative was launched in the late '80s in the Northeast, but this is the first of its kind to operate citywide, Castro said.

In his district, headquartered at 3901 Whitaker Avenue, Castro, a 24-year veteran, said that he fashioned his own variation of community policing to strengthen ties with civilians in that area.

Among other measures, he plans to institute park-and-walk patrols throughout the district to cut down on vandalism, drinking and drug abuse.

Those interested in participating with the 24th District's efforts are asked to call 215-686-3240.

In a separate attempt at addressing community concerns, state Sen. Anthony Williams will meet with Ramsey to address two recent incidents between police and civilians.

State Rep. Jewell Williams was handcuffed in North Philadelphia earlier this month when he stopped his car to help a constituent who had been pulled over by police. In another incident, a Temple University student reported on a school Web site that a 22nd District cop allegedly used racial epithets during a ride-along.

Police are investigating both claims.

"Lawlessness will increase and not decrease with these suppressive kind of tactics," Anthony Williams said. "Innocent people will be less likely to participate with cops and community policing will not work." *