An email report is being circulated from and among various businesses and individuals in the Logan Square community stating that there have been 17 gunpoint hold-ups of people walking to their vehicles in parking lots between 17th and 22nd Streets and between Walnut Street and the Parkway. This information is incorrect in several respects (including as to the number of robberies, locations, and victims) and did not originate with the Philadelphia Police Department, so please do not forward the email if you receive it. Furthermore, two officers from the Ninth District arrested the primary suspect wanted for the series of parking lot attendants on February 11, 2009 (thanks and congratulations to Officers Guercio and Netzer), and the investigation is ongoing.

Please do not circulate email reports of this nature and instead consult the Health & Safety Committee's crime reports for the Logan Square neighborhood that have been checked by the Ninth District for accuracy. Because the two robberies that occurred within LSNA's boundaries (Market Street, Spring Garden Street, Broad Street, and the Schuylkill River) took place after the issuance of the Health & Safety Committee's February 2009 report, those crimes will be addressed in next month's report.

Otherwise, the email circulated included a suggestion that you should be aware of your surroundings and walk in pairs or groups whenever you are working late. This is good advice and applies no matter where you live or work.