A Center City pizzeria, a 'hot-spot' in the heart of the gayborhood has gone high tech to deal with drugs, and solicitation--by both male and female prostitutes, and to have a safer community...for residents, and visitors alike.

Now, with the aid of high tech surveillance equipment, and a PC a local business owner is able to monitor activities around his establishment near 13th and Chancellor Streets in Center City's "Gayborhood".

Open drug sales, prostitution, agressive pan-handling and other so-called "quality of life crimes" were making life in the neighborhood anything but quality. Through the efforts of anti-crime activists like Greg Bucceroni (Taking Back Our Streets Movement); C B Kimmins (Mantua Against Drugs co-founder) and town watch members, business owners are seeking a meeting and a new relationship with 6th police district Commanding Officer, Captain Brian Korn.

Korn will be able to view, first hand, what occurs at the busy location via an internet link, fed by surveillance cameras and other high tech crime fighting equipment. Recently, Bucceroni, Kimmins and other anti crime, anti drug vigilists assembled outside the establishement and watched as one by one some of the undesirable elements left. Maybe for good; maybe to return later...in either case, the deterrent effect of a physical presence and technology are helping this community regain its lost ground.

[The link at http://pizza.kicks-ass.net features a "Live" feed from the popular night spot...and a bird's-eye-view of the activities outside and around the shop. You'll have to enable 'cookies' on your browser to view the action, but it is well worth at least a look. Go to Internet Explorer, click on "Tools" and select the tab for Custom security level. Enable "Download unsigned active x controls. You should change it back after you download the web viewer for the first time.](log in: SYSTEM Password: pass) You'll have to configure your screen to 1024x768 pixels and 32 bit for best resolution.]

As voters considered a referendum on the ballot in Tuesday's election, this tech-savvy business owner considered his business--and community and took action.

Big Brother is watching--and hopefully, getting an eyeful of the illicit activities near 13th and Chancellor Streets. So, think twice before you show out. Smile! You're on candid camera!

EDITOR'S NOTE: For security purposes, no names were used in this item. Anti-Crime activist's organization names used for identification purposes only.

2006 Logan News Group
DMB COMMUNICATIONS~Philadelphia
A Liberty Communications Group, LLC partner

Kids can sometimes set us adults straight. Such was the case today, as I attended a "Poetry Slam" at Girard College, put on by the 5th grade class of Ms. La Shaya Duval. Ms. Duval is my supervisor in the After School program at Girard called G-Sap. I've encountered her class at least once before; and, it was a great experience.
As a part of "305 Lounge" and the Poetry Slam, students recited several types of poetry: Free-Verse, Parralel, Poem for two voices and personification. I was enthralled at the performance--and the 'worldly' awareness of these wonderful students. I guess it speaks to Ms. Duval's teaching style--and effectiveness.
One of the pieces; "Save Darfur" a poem for two voices, pointed out the daily tragedy of the Darfur genocide in the Sudan. We have so many problems. Not really. These kids are really concerned about what's happening worlds away. The event's student MC, pleaded with audience members to "Do more, do something".
"Go to www.savedarfur.org " he said, but, if you're a kid like me, get your parent's permission first." I'm always impressed with the abilities of young persons. I have a special love for Girard College students. I'm enjoying working there and being part of the culture that is Girard--inside--and outside the wall.
So, for me, for my special "Good Friends" at the Elementary School at Girard College, check out the web site for Save Darfur. Get up to speed with what's going on there. If only as a diversion from the daily death toll in Iraq, and our constant threats to Iran. Find out what we're doing--or not doing about death, and devestation in the Sudan region.
Do all that you can to learn about this situation. If you teach, tell other teachers. Teach your students. Develop young, independent thinkers and concerned, compassionate humans. One day, you may be glad that you acted.
Oh, one more thing; encourage a young person today. There are too many negative stories about kids. Let's talk more about the good that they do--everyday.

www.savedarfur.org Do It...TODAY! Act Now! Lives depend on it.

http://www.logannews.blogspot.com
Logan News Group
A Liberty Communications Group, LLC partner
Philadelphia, PA 19140-1207

Here's a look at the "Sinking Homes" of Logan. A fiasco that has existed since the 80's. Now, a plan for development has those around the "Logan Triangle" concerned about issues like eminent domain, blight certification, property values, gentrification and crime issues. As Trump considers our neighbor, East Falls for development, the buzz is Logan, Hunting Park and Nicetown-Tioga want to be sure we get ours!
http://www.ninthstreetrecords.blogspot.com/2006/04/logan-triangle.html

Thanks to Ryan Kellermeyer for sharing this on his blog.

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