Yesterday, Saturday the 27th, I participated in a clean-up where I meet some wonderful folks who live on the Lower Merion side of Ardmore. The clean-up started at Spring and Simpson and we progressed up Spring to the communty center at Ardmore Avenue. It was great to see a clean community center, free from trash and debris. I also got to talk with the residents who participated and who live on all of these streets about their concerns; such as trash, and other more serious issues such as crime and drug dealing. One topic of discussion concerns the the three or four block area that is bounded by Ardmore Avenue to Linwood Avenue, from County Line Avenue to Spring Avenue. According to the Lower Merion Police 2006 annual report this tiny area has the highest crime rate in all of Lower Merion. In fact, it may by as much as four or five times higher that any other area in the township and that includes serious violent crimes, robbery and assaults. During the clean-up a handful of drug baggies were found by the volunteers including one found by me, underneath the children's slide by the door to the community pool. Here is a picture of that baggies (http://www.flickr.com/photos/10760505@N08/?donelayout=1) which is being documented and sent off to the appopriate authorities.

This has the local neighbors concerned enough to have them starting a community town watch, maybe as early as September. I will be attending the training with the hope that a coordinated effort can be acheived between the town watch we are starting on the Delco. side of Ardmore with the Lower Merion community watch.

I'll try to get more info. up as I have it and have the time to post it. It is terrible to find such extensive amounts of drug activity through out Ardmore, on children's play grounds, at community centers, and on school grounds. What has given me tremendous hope is the people i have meet on both sides of Ardmore who are giving their time freely to confront these issues. A great awakening is happening throughout Ardmore and it is wonderful to see...