[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6621984,"mediaKeyId","2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44","parentId",2793154,"title","Residents press city on illegal dumping, noise, tow-truck parking and stray animals; city outlines enforcement steps","audioSeconds",858,"startMs",3864000,"endMs",4722000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44&start=3864&end=4722","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44/thumbnail_3864000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6621984/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-press-city-on-illegal-dumping-noise-tow-truck-parking-and-stray-animals-city-outlines-enforcement-steps","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621984-41503d9617761c997b9a7cc55eae559f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198669&Signature=MQdSl8fcGS0cqmfgpf8lA~NcWtJuVFJ8DOmy4dH9M1iz-r0IrOEeII~I9wrUdKxdL6wX60251YsTqgde68RwKdv2ro3ysnk7Aes94uUipsabCU~LH-IekJDy6aM02tx5FIPtih0RnZCh02OFp350Hpzy1sJcuQ0vKvycEgHUL~kKrRA2Aksfo~-u~3XJSxPv7XZbyNt2gZaT0xNsd6RCPgRFa3aDO5nBRjdpgJSfY1OR3Vbf6z3yVBbFnOevXr7GVcEdFZyJEeYCvMgzxS6bslc74ivSzsfXMexUvTlQcZbmAZx-US6VsDVkRhqAZLkFaqJ9rrmbdRZc9J7k4meyRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Chester, PA","date","2025-03-27T10:15:09.287Z","article","Several residents used the public-comment portion of the March 26 City of Chester council meeting to press officials for action on persistent quality-of-life problems: illegal dumping, amplified street preaching, commercial vehicles parked in residential areas, and stray cats and dogs.

Council members and staff responded with specific follow-up measures. Councilman Davis and Public Works staff said crews identify and investigate dump sites; when evidence with a return address is found staff said they follow up on the source and pursue enforcement. Public Works Director Andrew Heyman (introduced at the meeting) and council members asked residents to report dump sites so the department can investigate and, where possible, trace materials to outside generators.

Residents Kaylene Tompkins and Dawn Anderson complained about repeated gatherings of a street group (identified in comments as the Black Hebrew Israelites) using a megaphone at Ninth and Curlin Street, saying amplified sound interfered with daily life. City officials said the noise ordinance applies to amplified sound and discussed providing the police with a decibel meter so officers can measure sound levels and enforce the ordinance. The police chief indicated the department would pursue enforcement where decibel readings exceed permitted levels.

Dawn Anderson also raised a long-standing problem with a tow-truck operator parking multiple commercial tow trucks and flatbeds on corners and in residential blocks; staff said commercial vehicles are not permitted to be parked indefinitely in residential areas and committed to follow up with enforcement. A resident who previously received an instructive notice said the tow-truck presence had returned and staff said they would review enforcement steps and follow up with the resident.

On animal-control concerns, a community volunteer known as JC, who runs the Chester City help incident and resource page, described existing partnerships with Forgotten Cats (a Trainer-based nonprofit) and local trappers using a TNR (trap-neuter-release) model. JC said the group had trappers available to respond to calls and that Forgotten Cats will attempt to place friendly cats in foster care while feral cats are returned to colonies after neutering to reduce reproduction. JC also noted that Delaware County lacks an open-intake shelter and that municipalities currently outsource intake, which complicates city-level animal-control responses and placement options.

Council members acknowledged the complexity of animal control and stray-animal intake, and said they are exploring further partnerships and potential county-level solutions. Residents were urged to continue reporting incidents so police and public works can respond.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chester City Council Regular Meeting | March 26, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents raised neighborhood quality-of-life concerns at the March 26 meeting including recurring illegal dumping, amplified street preachers, commercial tow trucks parked in residential areas and stray-animal complaints; city staff outlined enforcement actions and partnerships to address the issues.","taxTitle","Chester, Delaware County, Pennsylvania","taxId",64857,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6621988,"Coalition presents Safer Schools, Stronger Neighborhoods plan, cites PCCD grant and collaborative services for youth",336,2628000,2964000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44&start=2628&end=2964","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44/thumbnail_2628000.jpg","/articles/6621988/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Coalition-presents-Safer-Schools-Stronger-Neighborhoods-plan-cites-PCCD-grant-and-collaborative-services-for-youth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621988-e3a46b4f549e86f3177924c7b8f74c8c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198669&Signature=CCI0MayXx3g9PnUHjkmt144JpoSawJAUVxDmo6f8Q0687EC5b~ob9tVR4XDiq8R1LJpsgAOJFRFlRYTd38ShkDdgVPs2FwJ-Y80bgFQFMUafVUfAwselaROZ7d2c6MebgG3H20UwjPJDDk-XeJAIaeNyuXCGwM9GrAVAUa7RGwkKA2xwHJhFUYLrQvtZjEfg2KZ3oT2Jfx-AgF0hLmawsHCd86sDjMWknV5X4yKeYEaD68DOqPnxFb3XL-Q0NguM97jBn3sTY95~ixIFID50xOS5nPMi6JIQVGtBTiyDA02Q35cyFzhkWEAHLxFJXETjrr3PtuMCm9lZsfCUxzcAqw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Safer Schools, Stronger Neighborhoods (3SN) Coalition presented the group's collaborative approach to reducing gun and community violence in Chester during the March 26 council meeting, describing a partnership of local nonprofits, justice-system partners and service providers supported by grant funding.

A coalition spokesperson said Casa Youth Incorporated serves as the pass-through agency for grant funds and that partner organizations include the Boys & Girls Club of Chester, Chester Community Coalition, Chester Education Foundation, Making a Change, Safe Carriers Inc., the Delaware County District Attorney's Office (Chester Safe Neighborhoods Partnership), the Delaware Public Defender's Office of Social Services, Chester Upland School District, Chester Police Chaplains, Crozer Health System and Widener University. The coalition said it received funding from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and is operating programs directed at at-risk young people, roughly ages 11 to 24.

The coalition described services that include training, a continuum-of-care referral system and events such as an April 5 \"friends and family summit\" at the STEM site to connect families and youth with resources, workshops and service providers. Coalition leaders asked for continued partner support and invited additional organizations to participate.

Council members praised the cross-organization collaboration and highlighted Councilman Davis's role in bringing youth perspectives to the planning table. Council members said the city will continue to support coordination and requested that coalition leaders keep council informed of progress and funding status.

The coalition presentation did not request specific council funding at the meeting; representatives said grant funds currently support the coalition and that continuation of operations depends on grant renewal and partner contributions.

","A coalition of local nonprofits described a grant-funded effort to reduce gun and community violence that focuses on services for youth aged 11-24 and coordination between schools, nonprofits and justice-system partners.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6621992,"Chester officials recognize multi-jurisdiction drug probe that yielded arrests, large drug and asset seizures",139,2192000,2331000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44&start=2192&end=2331","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44/thumbnail_2192000.jpg","/articles/6621992/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Chester-officials-recognize-multi-jurisdiction-drug-probe-that-yielded-arrests-large-drug-and-asset-seizures","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621992-aba6625b74445469f45ab655d6814176/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198669&Signature=bBhtubOmYaicO3dLKNFe2LH78yaIifOhSIAGk7vVFYJ4vMskcJfBPHsbw6FOfXWmSLIlQNNQrBz23ESnhcEwajc3RFBWBqlwmRviN5NlyM-TbNsyaKThqOxbS0lDjSyI0jwLsoLUFeyGSABa58D5Le~o3wjaDFoF8GFnSlsX8A42IYgg43-Qb~sYkLUF8uCiW2I89-Cv3pfJwPhLBTaM6CeVInVcq6Qa9GNIT21e3cTz39N0L7fcas35vYUxpV3Rip~72R9dBbhGqSXgV~UJl6XJ7NtEuZu57eIDISVBRQBiziv1rOwYGZvPqovTvNOC-z9TPv4S2XEJBY6~1jVxsw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City leaders publicly recognized law-enforcement officers involved in a multi-jurisdiction investigation dubbed \"Operation Sparkplug,\" saying the probe led to arrests and the seizure of drugs, weapons and financial assets tied to high-level distribution activity.

Commissioner Katrina Blackwell summarized the operation during the March 26 council meeting, saying the Chester Narcotics Unit collaborated with the Delaware County Drug Task Force, Pennsylvania State Police, Delaware State Police, Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. Blackwell said the investigation targeted an individual identified as Shamar Campbell of Upland and resulted in six arrests and a substantial seizure of assets.

\"To date, law enforcement has seized a significant quantity of assets, including six luxury vehicles, six handguns, $121,000 in cash, approximately 8,469 grams of cocaine, three Rolex watches, and three kilo presses,\" Commissioner Blackwell said at the meeting. She and other officials praised officers who worked on the case and noted the operation's role in resolving violent crimes and other offenses across the city.

Two officers who participated were brought to the dais and recognized by council. At the meeting those officers thanked supervisors and families for support during the months-long, multi-jurisdiction probe, which officials characterized as \"hush-hush\" and coordinated with county and federal partners.

Mayor Root and other elected officials applauded the arrests, with Mayor Root noting the operation removed high-level and street-level dealers and linked to broader violent-crime investigations. Officials said the investigation spanned several months and included collaboration with the Delaware County District Attorney's Office.

No court outcomes or pending charges beyond the arrests were announced at the meeting; officials limited remarks to the investigation results and personnel recognition.

","Police and city officials honored officers involved in a multi-jurisdiction investigation, 'Operation Sparkplug,' that led to six arrests and large seizures including cash, vehicles and kilograms of cocaine.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6621997,"Chester council approves impound ordinance, street permits and multiple resolutions; approves $20,000 performer despite dissent",1130,663000,1793000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44&start=663&end=1793","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2793154-777e9ced54e230e7b70bd1d8df666b44/thumbnail_663000.jpg","/articles/6621997/Chester/Delaware-County/Pennsylvania/Chester-council-approves-impound-ordinance-street-permits-and-multiple-resolutions-approves-20000-performer-despite-dissent","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6621997-6d210a1cda8a02f75be0d87c274d2a43/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198669&Signature=jZGWrrwxUp8dhosYFFdJ9rkRzA1vPgQvMirDBAk9kaEYtjWKTjl1a2IOEOtgGjRsdKTZVW7jJItYRsWMOB0IBFQXOwkWDUMWVja6hl9gx3GyxfTUTGb0wKza~DAK5Isd8dlIkQ3F4CZtmBoPJbOBdjgZe61s-rJ2n3NSwuOCAUFtY5PEoLDNT5xmDFWtwNkuP9ZBtC9PcwQ44mx39vkyus7P-~JxIGFktfBWnlU2PpGZM8Fiq~OsvRV8jaos5uralj1j5EDFyXmsTh7qwRyukkYjy24LUTZmzcwZ8~2o5BCiJdqUGWlAAlqnnB7P4619aaK3BxEWT-LOgVX9TlgqXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Chester Council voted on multiple ordinances and resolutions during its March 26 meeting, adopting an ordinance regulating impoundment of parked and junk vehicles and approving a slate of resolutions covering handicap parking zones, county liquid-fuel grants, PECO street-opening permits and final land-development approval for a vehicle repair facility. Council also authorized an agreement not to exceed $20,000 with Dre Shaw Entertainment Group for a headline performer for the city's Peace, Love and Unity Festival, a measure that drew a no vote from Mayor Root.

The votes placed several operational tools in the city's toolbox: a codified towing and impound ordinance the council said will provide a regulated process for removal of damaged, abandoned or illegally parked vehicles; multiple street-opening permits tied to natural-gas service work by PECO; and county liquid-fuel grant applications to fund resurfacing projects.

Votes at a glance:
- Ordinance No. 1 of 2025 (final reading): Enacts new Article 519 (impounding parked or junk vehicles) to create a regulated towing system for removal of damaged, abandoned or illegally parked motor vehicles. Motion: moved/seconded on the floor (movers not specified on the record). Vote: Councilors Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Handicap parking resolutions (seven individual addresses): Council found applicants met Department of Public Works criteria and authorized installation of designated handicap parking zones at seven blocks listed in the resolution language. Motion: moved/seconded on the floor (movers not specified). Vote: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 36 through 39 of 2025 (row-opening permits to PECO): Grants PECO permission to install new natural-gas services at multiple streets in Chester, contingent on conditions from the city engineer, including half-width overlay/repaving for openings exceeding 100 feet, sidewalk replacement and ADA ramp compliance, traffic control and PennDOT HOP permits. Motion: moved/seconded. Vote: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved.

- County liquid-fuel applications: Two separate resolutions authorizing application for Delaware County liquid fuel tax funds for resurfacing programs: $40,194 (2025 street resurfacing program) and $43,308 (2024 street resurfacing program). Motion: moved/seconded. Vote on each: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved.

- Honorary street sign: Council approved an honorary sign renaming a portion of Penn Street at West Third Street to James N. Harper Sr. Way in recognition of James N. Harper Sr.'s contributions. Motion: moved/seconded. Vote: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved; Department of Public Works authorized to order and install the sign.

- Final land-development approval (Alliance for 36 Highland LLC): Council granted final approval for a one-story, 9,600-square-foot tractor-trailer and/or bus repair building, plus parking and perimeter fencing at 436 Holland Avenue, conditioned on addressing remaining comments in Planning and Zoning and Colliers Engineering review letters. Motion: moved/seconded. Vote: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — yes. Outcome: approved (conditions applied).

- Agreement with Dre Shaw Entertainment Group (Peace, Love and Unity Festival): Council authorized an agreement for a headline performer in an amount not to exceed $20,000, subject to solicitor approval. Debate on the floor questioned whether $20,000 for a roughly one-hour headline performance was the best use of special-events funds, and whether funds should be spread among local performers. Vote: Green — yes; West — yes; Davis — yes; Mayor Root — no. Outcome: approved (3-1).

Other formal administrative actions included designation of Santander Bank N.A. as a depository for city funds and routine procedural approvals of minutes and combined resolutions read by the clerk.

Council members said some approvals were conditioned on compliance with city-engineer specifications, additional permits (for example, PennDOT HOP for PECO work) and solicitor review where noted. Several council members and staff said they will publish schedules and details for resurfacing work once delivery times and road-closure information are available to reduce public inconvenience.

Mayor Root, during debate on the entertainment contract, summarized public concern about cost and local benefit, saying, \"Some have questioned whether $20,000 is an appropriate amount for a single entertainer that's only going to be working for an hour. That's $20,000 an hour.\" Council members also reminded the public that a special-events fund exists and that fund-raising by event organizers is expected to supplement any city contribution.

The council meeting packet and clerk's records contain the full ordinance and resolution texts and the formal vote roll calls.

","At its March 26 meeting the City of Chester Council adopted an ordinance on impounding vehicles, approved multiple resolutions including county liquid-fuel applications and PECO street-opening permits, granted final land-development approval for a repair facility, and approved a $20,000 contract for a headline performer amid council debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents press city on illegal dumping, noise, tow-truck parking and stray animals; city outlines enforcement steps

Coalition presents Safer Schools, Stronger Neighborhoods plan, cites PCCD grant and collaborative services for youth

Chester officials recognize multi-jurisdiction drug probe that yielded arrests, large drug and asset seizures

Chester council approves impound ordinance, street permits and multiple resolutions; approves $20,000 performer despite dissent