Burglary reports in the past 30 days (3/24/13-4/23/13).
The latest University City Crime Update, a monthly email distributed by the University City District, shows a significant increase in residential burglaries in the area in April. There were over 20 burglaries in the past 30 days in the area, most of them reported in Spruce Hill, Walnut Hill, and Kingsessing, according to Crime Reports.
The UCD calls for extra caution and asks residents to consider various anti-burglary measures, including locking all exterior doors at all times, investing in more secure locks, using light switch timers to simulate occupancy, and asking a trusted neighbor to watch your property when you are away.
Please also apply caution when walking outside and using your cell phone, since there have been a series of phone robberies in the area. Here are some most recent reports of muggings:
Robbery reports in the past 30 days (3/24/13-4/23/13). Images from CrimeReports.com
• On Monday, April 15, a 29-year-old man was robbed at gunpoint by two men on the 4400 block of Osage Avenue, at approximately 9 p.m., according to police. The man’s phone was taken in the robbery.
• On Tuesday, April 16, a 23-year-old woman was robbed on the 4300 block of Baltimore Avenue. This incident happened in the morning, shortly before 9 a.m. The robbers took her phone, police said. The woman ran after the guys and one said to the other “Shoot her,” but no gun was seen. Police were called and were able to catch one of the robbers, a 21-year-old man, at 46th and Baltimore. The second robber was not apprehended.
• On Thursday, April 18, approximately at 11 a.m., a 20-year-old female was robbed by two men after being put in a choke hold, police said. The incident happened on the 4300 block of Pine Street. University City bike cops caught both robbers, an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old.
April 23rd, 2013 at 12:56 pm
This is absolutely obscene. 9 am? 11 am? People are out, the sun is up…
I wonder if it might not be smart for people to limit cell phone use in public whenever possible. It seems, based on reports, that that’s very possibly what many of these robbers are after. Walking down the street with your phone lets everyone know you have one.
April 24th, 2013 at 11:07 am
I feel like that’s just smart. I always try to keep my phone away, out of sight, when I’m walking even during the day because I’ve heard about these kinds of robberies. It is distressing to hear about things like this happening in broad daylight.
April 23rd, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Is there a map for south of Baltimore in Ceder Park?
April 23rd, 2013 at 2:12 pm
You can put your address into http://www.crimereports.com to get a customized map for any address/neighborhood.
April 24th, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Has anyone looked into a link between this and the wild turkey roaming around?
April 25th, 2013 at 8:52 am
Best comment!
Seriously, though. Aren’t there two turkeys? That’s the beginning of a rafter of turkeys (thanks, Google), and we all know rafters are no good.
April 25th, 2013 at 5:02 pm
There’s also been a definite spike in aggressive beggars, drug users, and thoroughly intoxicated people wondering the streets of the neighborhood as the weather gets warmer, both day and night.
Seriously, where is University City District security and Phila PD on all this??
This is NOT the way to attract new neighborhoods businesses and families into the neighborhood.
April 26th, 2013 at 1:00 pm
Maybe the promise of making $1,000 is why:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/26/police-sting-stolen-iphones_n_3138609.html
April 26th, 2013 at 7:19 pm
“Seriously, where is University City District security and Phila PD on all this??”
Obviously PD has been involved, as these robberies and muggings are being reported to PD. One can’t expect UCD PD or Phila PD to be there ahead of time.
This isn’t a bubble we live in. Be aware of your surroundings and be safe. Crime happens here. Consider that economic times are tough for many, and these days, UCity, as now largely an area of “haves,” is a great crime target. I wouldn’t dare suggest that this is acceptable anywhere, but ignoring the realities of where you live certainly doesn’t make you any safer.