Temple University Neighbors Voice Concerns
NORTH PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Neighboring residents of Temple University held a community meeting Wednesday night, holding an airing of grievances. Residents complained that neither the school nor the landlords are doing enough to keep North Philadelphia a livable place.
Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, a resident named William says it is like clockwork.
"They're partying through the streets and they're destroying public property. You catch them urinating in your flowers, beer cans in the front of the property."
College kids will be college kids, says Vanessa, but no one should act like this.
"They curse you out if you just ask them to be quiet at 4 o'clock in the morning. It's ridiculous."
Temple officials, politicians and police heard several dozen people grumble about a lowered quality of life.
"We shouldn't be here, year after year with this issue."
William, who lives near 11th and Diamond, chalks it up to the development explosion. The replacement of all those vacant lots with new homes is a positive for the neighborhood, he says, but not what happens after the move-in.
"The landlords are the problem. I think Temple should get on their case and make sure they police their tenants. Some students get carried away."
A Temple official at the meeting apologized saying they can and will try to do much better at educating students on how to be good neighbors. Not an easy task with new students moving in every year.
Reported by Ian Bush, KYW Newsradio 1060
