North Philadelphia neighbors, Temple University partner to launch special services district

A press conference highlighting a new partnership launched between Temple University and some community leaders got heated on Friday afternoon.

The North Central Special Services District is meant to improve the quality of life among permanent residents who live in the neighborhood surrounding campus.

It's modeled after existing districts, including the University City District, which was launched in 1997 near the campuses of University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University.

Among their efforts, they are having bike security from Allied Universal regularly patrol the area, specifically targeting inappropriate student behavior and noise complaints. They are also pattering with One Day at a Time to provide expanded street sweeping services from Tuesday through Friday.

The group will also provide outreach to talk with the community on ways to clean-up the area.

"I've lived in this neighborhood and I would appreciate, and I know my father old appreciate, I know my mother who is still alive she appreciates, that instead of complaining we're all starting to do something, to move forward, says Mel Wells, President of ODAAT. "That's what I want to talk about more, moving forward and not moving back."

Most of Friday's speakers were met with backlash and yelling from some members in the crowd.

The backlash seemed to center around the district's board, which consists of four Temple administrators and five community residents. The district says those community residents were selected out of a pool of people already active in the community.

Some neighbors felt like if they truly wanted to help, they would have been involved in the process.

"I was not invited to any conversations about this special services district so I invited myself," says Jennifer Bennetch, a North Philly resident who brought signs and her two young children to the meeting.

"They don't have the people most affected by the problems so how are we going to solve them?" says Judith Robinson, Representative of 32nd Ward Registered Community Organization.

The district's executive director, Tara Miller, says as the partnership continues to grow, there could be more opportunities for people to join sub-committees.

In the meantime, they are welcoming feedback, suggestions, and questions on their website.