MESSAGE FROM THE ELM STREET MANAGER

We want to devote this month�s Elm Street Happenings newsletter to West Reading Crime Watch (WRCW) which is funded through Elm Street�s Safe, Clean & Green Committee. Before we do, a little about Elm Street�s 2013 year-end. We�ve had another positive, productive year. We secured the funds, formed cooperative partnerships with a wide variety of organizations; continued the programs established in previous years and initiated new programs. Another year of fa�ade grants, streetscape improvements, Let�s Paint the Town, the Community Garden, the Earth Day Clean Up and the Home Security grant program. outdoor public art projects which beautify public spaces and add a surprising visual aesthetic to our walking our streets. Our annual Summer Water Balloon Fight and Block Party, held in conjunction with St. James Peach Festival this summer, and our upcoming Halloween and Christmas parties at Bethany Church are now pretty much Elm Street traditions. And now we�ve added two more programs to modernize our housing stock and bring properties up-to-code: PARR and HELP. 

All funds for this year�s Fa�ade Improvement program ($40,000), Home Security program ($5,000), and streetscape projects ($150,000) have been expended. We invested those funds in your homes, your neighbor�s homes, and your neighborhood�s streets and sidewalks to stabilize property values and protect the borough�s tax base. Remember, while some of these projects are funded in part by the PA Department of Community & Economic Development, a significant amount is raised from local foundations who believe in our work.  

Elm Street projects are designed to produce highly visible, concrete results. However, its support of the West Reading Crime Watch (WRCW) shows that there is more to Elm Street�s community commitment than meets the eye. Some WRCW goals are best achieved by NOT drawing attention to a particular endeavor, but its intent, like all other Elm Street projects, it produces positive results.

NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET

On October 26^th, the Neighborhood Action Committee (NAC) will hold the 7^th annual Elm Street Halloween Party. Once again the event will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church, 336 Franklin Street, from 6PM to 8PM. Prizes for scariest, most creative, and funniest costumes by age group. Play the very popular musical chairs for �cash� prizes. There will also be pumpkin decorating, Halloween bingo, and bobbing for apples. Come out and meet your neighbors. See you there.

LOCAL CRIME WATCH HELPS POLICE MAKE BIG DRUG BUST

West Reading Crime Watch (WRCW) is a newly re-formed group from what was formerly the West Reading Watchers and its most important community service to date was accomplished by deliberately keeping a low, virtually invisible profile.

This past July, a WRCW member, and a few neighbors, alerted the police to suspicious instances of activity linked to what they perceived to be an ongoing pattern of drug trafficking in their neighborhood.  The police requested that they very discreetly note times, dates, vehicles, license plate numbers, etc. and update them as each instance occurred.  Ultimately, by building upon the information these residents provided, the police planned and executed what they termed a �highly successful and significant drug bust.� 

WRCW�s core belief is that citizens are law enforcement�s best asset in fighting crime. In addition to assisting the police in the traditional �old school� manner by providing extra �eyes and ears� on the street as happened with the July drug bust, the WRCW has also adopted some new approaches to meeting its overall goal of helping to protect West Reading residents and their property.

BICYCLE THEFT PREVENTION PROGRAM

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26^TH 9AM-12PM, West Reading Firehouse, 223 Playground Drive. Residents are invited to bring their bikes for registration with the West Reading Police Department, and to receive an identification sticker for each bike to aid in the bike�s recovery and return in case it�s stolen. First 100 registrants receive a free bike lock.  For more information, contact Sgt. Keith Phillips: 610.373.0111, or Carl Garman: [email protected].

CRIME WATCH IN 2014

West Reading Crime Watch (WRCW) is now planning its 2014 program. Suggestions are welcome: email Carl Garman:  [email protected]. So far the 2014 agenda includes 1) expanding the network of resident �eyes and ears,� 2) holding special events that target specific aspects of crime prevention; 3) giving out more Home Security grants; and 4) creating a better informed, educated and aware citizenry.  WRCW intends to regularly update and share with the public its listing of local crime related informational/educational resources.  It�s now easier than ever before to learn about criminal activity, crime prevention, and policing in West Reading: www.crimemapping.com;  www.boroughblue.com; www.westreadingpolice.com; www.facebook.com/WestReadingWatchers.

UPCOMING EVENTS & MEETINGS
 

OCTOBER
26th	Bicycle Theft Prevention Program, West Reading Firehouse, 9AM-12PM
26th	Nightmare on Elm Street Halloween Party, Bethany Lutheran Church (336 Franklin Street), 6PM-8PM
31st	Trick-or-Treat Night, Borough of West Reading, 6PM-9PM Use the buddy system, adults should always accompany kids under 12, inspect all treats before kids eat them, wear masks that don't impede vision, watch out for cars, be careful crossing streets, obey traffic lights, and ... HAVE FUN!
NOVEMBER
1st	Mother-Son Dance, 7:00PM-9:30PM, call 610.374.8273
4th	West Reading Neighborhood Action Committee meeting, Borough Hall, 6:30PM
7th	First Thursday on Penn, Penn Avenue, 5PM-8PM
12th	West Reading Crime Watch Meeting, Borough Hall, 7PM Hear police activity report
13th	West Reading Business Promotion Committee meeting, Borough Hall, 8:30AM
21st	West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation Board meeting, Borough Hall, 7PM
22nd	Kids Craft Night, Saint James Church (644 Penn Avenue), 6PM-9PM $5/Child
29th	Tree Lighting & Music Celebration, West Reading Traffic Circle, 6PM Kick-off West Reading's Holiday Glow Celebration and stroll the avenue after the tree lighting ... Black Friday sales, refreshments, entertainment, Santa, and More!
30th	Small Business Saturday
DECEMBER
2nd	West Reading Neighborhood Action Committee meeting, Borough Hall, 6:30PM
5th	First Thursday on Penn featuring Ladies Night Out, Penn Avenue, 6PM-8PM
5th	Mrs. Claus Contest, Chef Alan's American Bistro, 8PM
6th	Carriage Rides, Penn Avenue, 6PM-10PM
6th	Caroling on the Avenue, 6PM-10PM
10th	West Reading Crime Watch meeting, Borough Hall, 7PM
11th	West Reading Business Promotion Committee meeting, Borough Hall, 8:30AM
12th	Men's Night Out, Penn Avenue, 6PM-8PM
13th	Carriage Rides, Penn Avenue, 6PM-10PM
14th	Run Santa Run, 5K Run & .5 Kid's Fun Run, 8:30AM For more information or to register visit www.RunSantaRun.wrcrf.org
14th	Elm Street Christmas Party, Bethany Lutheran Church (336 Franklin Street), 6PM-8PM
19th	West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation Board meeting, Borough Hall, 7PM
20th	Carriage Rides, Penn Avenue, 6PM-10PM
WEST READING FARMERS� MARKET Every Sunday May 19th-November 24th 9AM-1PM

WEST READING ELM STREET OFFICE

Dean L. Rohrbach, Elm Street Manager
500 Chestnut Street, West Reading, PA 19611
[email protected] www.ElmStreet.wrcrf.org
 

NEIGHBORHOOD ACTION COMMITTEE

	Bryce Matthews, Chair - Elm Street Property Owner
	Aimee Adams - Elm Street Resident
	Robin Ambrosiani - Elm Street Resident
	Carl Garman - Elm Street Resident
	Collette A. Joyal - Elm Street Resident
	Jay Kupiszewski - Elm Street Resident
	Brandy Lorah - Elm Street Resident
	Suzanne Thompson - Elm Street Resident
	John Woodward - Third and Spruce Caf�

WEST READING COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION FOUNDATION BOARD

	Shane J. Keller, President - Mayor, Borough of West Reading
	Mark Dougherty, Vice President - Penn Avenue Dental
	Robin Horman, Secretary - LiliBea's
	Margaret M. Bligh, Treasurer - The Reading Hospital and Medical Center
	Richard Sichler, Borough Manager - Borough of West Reading
	Deborah Hutcheson - Charles Hutcheson Fine Jewelry
	Rebecca J. Doubek - Firefly on Penn
	Philip Wert - West Reading Borough Council
	John C. Woodward - Third & Spruce Cafe

DISTRICT MAP

Click on the map below to download a copy of the Elm Street District Map.  Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

ELM STREET HAPPENINGS ARCHIVE
 

The Elm Street Happenings Newsletter may be downloaded from our archives, click any month below. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to download newsletters. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer click here.
July 2007 September 2007 October 2007 December 2007 January 2008 February 2008 March 2008 April 2008 May 2008 June 2008 July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 November 2008 December 2008	January 2009 February 2009 March 2009 April 2009 May 2009 June 2009 July 2009 August 2009 September 2009 October 2009 November 2009 December 2009 January 2010 February 2010 March 2010 June/July 2010	January/February 2011 March/April 2011 July/August 2011 September/October 2011 November/December 2011 January/February 2012 March/April 2012 July/August 2012 November/December 2012 May/June 2013 July/August 2013 September/October 2013

If you would like to receive West Reading Elm Street's monthly newsletter by email please send an email to [email protected] or call 610.685.8854. For more information about the West Reading Elm Street program visit www.ElmStreet.wrcrf.org.