Frankford Community Hires Private Security To Patrol Neighborhood
By Hadas Kuznits
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Folks in the Frankford neighborhood of Northwood are taking it upon themselves to solve the security concerns they have in their community.
Joe Krause, President of the Northwood Civic Association, says several meeting were held with police to address safety concerns in their neighborhood involving crimes like prostitution and theft.
"People would go and voice their concerns and a standard answer by the police department was, 'we don't have the resources to call on everything like that; we have a priority system' and we basically got tired of that answer."
So some community members decided to hire Harry Mearing, owner of Neighborhood Security Patrol to keep an eye on their houses at night.
Reporter: "What does your job entail?"
Mearing: "Just driving around and being a deterrent."
Mearing carries a weapon, but he says it's only for his own protection.
"If I see a violent crime happening, I stay back, I notify 911, I get a description only and I don't approach them."
Lieutenant Ray Evers with the Philadelphia Police Department reacts to Mearing's claim that there's been a decrease in crime over the past month he's been on patrol.
"I would have to look at the figures. If they feel that, that's good. Perception's important, but in no way is that man's actions going to replace the Philadelphia Police Department in any way."
