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RECAP: Looking back on the week that was
• Absentee police captain demoted
Is the PPD doing everything it can to curb the epidemic of violence facing the city? The captain running North Philly’s “chaotic” 22nd District was often absent from work and hadn’t held required monthly community meetings in years, an Inquirer report uncovered. After the newspaper went public, the captain — who has a base salary of $120k and was in line for a promotion — was reassigned to radio dispatch. [Inquirer$/@MaxMMarin/Open Data Philly]
• 10,000 curb ramps promised in settlement
Philadelphia has settled a class action lawsuit over the state of the city’s sidewalks — specifically the “broken, steep, crumbling” curb ramps. The agreement will see 10,000 new or repaired curb ramps over the next 15 years. That work, which often precedes pothole repaving, was recently brought in house instead of contracted out, in hopes of speeding it up. [WHYY’s PlanPhilly/Phila Gov/Billy Penn]
• Wawa closing stores = not a good look
After Wawa announced it was closing stores at 12th and Market and 19th and Market, Mayor Kenney said he doesn’t think the decision is “a bad omen,” saying it was something the chain discussed with his administration. The Center City District recently added a nighttime bike patrol unit to help with safety. [6ABC/NBC10/Inquirer$]
• Phillies smash their way to conference championships
With over 46,000 people roaring their approval to create a decibel level and “electric” energy long missing from Citizens Bank Park — and a stolen Rally Squirrel meme — the Phillies dispatched the Braves 8-3 in NLDS Game 4 and advanced to their first National League Championship Series since 2010. “You can go on and on about each guy, but we’re all a team, we’re all a group,” said slugger Bryce Harper. [@ScottLauber/PhillyVoice/Billy Penn/@Phillies/NBCS Philly]
VISION: Looking forward to the week ahead
• Look for the Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide
The November election is three weeks away, and the ballot in Philadelphia is full of important races at all levels of government. In addition to the attention-grabbing contests for governor and senator, there are a slew of battles that could help determine control of the Pa. legislature, plus two city charter referendums. Find easy-reading explanations in the annual Billy Penn Procrastinator’s Guide, coming out Monday. [Billy Penn]
• Teen curfew expected to pass
Councilmembers Gilmore Richardson, Driscoll, Jones, Bass, and Squilla are cosponsors of a bill expected to pass in Thursday’s session that would make permanent Philly’s 10 p.m. curfew for kids under 18 — who often worry about getting home from afterschool sports. It’s not clear if curfews actually make cities safer, however, and while it was in effect this summer, more children were shot than any other year on record. [Billy Penn/Marshall Proj/PSU/Inquirer$]
• Get ready for all ̶f̶o̶u̶r̶ five major league sports
Good time to be a sports fan in Philadelphia. With the Phillies extending their season to face the Padres, all five major league teams will play this week. NLCS Game 1 is on Tuesday, same day as the Sixers start their season vs. the Celtics. The Eagles are rolling forward (#beatdallas) and the Flyers started off an improbable 2-0-0. And with the best record in the MLS, the Union start their conference semi-finals on Thursday. [NBA/BP 2016/WHYY]
• Philly Cider Week returns
If you like apples and drinking, welcome to the perfect series of autumn events: Philly Cider Week kicks off Oct. 23 with eight days of happenings around the orchard-made booze, from dessert tastings to full pairing dinners. Last year we chatted with some of the city’s most dedicated cidermakers and purveyors to see what it’s all about. [PHL Cider Week/Billy Penn]
