Some town watch groups in the area have stepped up their work in the past few weeks due to an increased number of crime-related incidents. Many residents have joined the groups and are already actively patrolling the streets.

We are compiling a list of town watch groups if neighbors want to participate. Here’s information on two active groups. If you know of any other groups, please send us information at: editor [at] westphillylocal.com

Cedar Park Neighbors Watch

Patrol area: St. Bernard to 47th St. (inclusive ), and Kingsessing to Baltimore (inclusive).

Contact: Patty Bulack, pbulack@gmail.com

Mel-Lo Town Watch

From the Mel-Lo Town Watch website: “The Mel-Lo Town Watch is a group of neighbors who put watchful eyes on the streets in the neighborhood surrounding the intersection of Melville and Locust Streets in West Philadelphia.”

Patrol area: 44th to 46th and from Walnut to Spruce.

Contact: mltownwatch@gmail.com

Maddie is an adorable ball of energy and cuddles, who will keep you smiling, laughing, and loving every minute shared with her! She’s a petite eight-month-old kitty with the cute quirk of a tail that curls like a question mark, further adding to her lovebug appeal.

She doesn’t mind her foster parents’ dog, and even got the grumpy older lady cat of the house to yield to her kittenish charm and play. This little gal loves all kinds of toys, and to be cuddled and pampered.

Maddie is spayed, vaccinated, FIV/FeLV negative, flea treated, de-wormed, and litterbox trained. Please contact projectmeowadoptions[at]gmail.com to meet her or stop by the Baltimore Pet Shoppe at 4532 Baltimore Ave.

Adoption application and fee apply.

Reminder: The “West Philly Grows Again” kids consignment sale will be held this Saturday, Jan. 28, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at St. Mary’s Nursery School (3916 Locust Walk). The sale will feature high-quality children’s and maternity clothing, toys, gear, and books. There will also be a raffle and prizes. See the flyer below for more information. All proceeds raised from this sale will go to support the nursery school programs and scholarships.

A 59-year-old man died today when he slipped under a SEPTA bus at 49th and Woodland, philly.com is reporting. The 59-year-old man was reportedly pinned under the 12 bus and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reader Louise emailed us with this information last night (Jan. 22):

“My husband and I found a cat tonight at 46th and Larchwood. He was really dirty, had no collar, and was absolutely freezing. He followed us, purring and meowing, all the way home to 46th and Hazel — even walked in our front door! We took him to UPenn Vet Hospital to have him checked out, and they told us that he’s young, isn’t microchipped, but is neutered, which makes us think he may have a home.”

If this is your cat, please email Louise at: louisefeder[at]gmail.com

The Spruce Hill Community Association distributed a letter to the dozens of parents waiting in line yesterday to register their children for kindergarten next year calling on “the community” to “make itself heard.” The letter also restates the association’s stance that every child living within the school’s catchment boundaries has a right to attend Penn Alexander.

The letter begins:

“No one should have to line up in the cold for nearly 24 hours to register their child for kindergarten.”

A full copy of the letter is below.

Kindergarten registration began for schools across the District this morning, including at the Henry C. Lea School, which has received a lot of attention in recent months thanks to the work of the West Philly Coalition of Neighborhood Schools.

Pas Letter