A community nonprofit in North Philadelphia is picking up the pieces after somebody looted a storage closet where they were keeping their items on the eve of their summer kickoff party.
The thieves went through an abandoned indoor pool and recreation center in the Hartranft neighborhood and broke down a wall to get to the items.
"All the equipment we use to do community events and run a basketball league has been stolen and wiped out," said Catherine Barnes with the Hartranft Playground Alliance.When organizers came by Saturday morning to set up their Safe Summer Kickoff event, they found the looted unit. "They took our cotton candy machine, our popcorn machine. We had a snow cone machine," Barnes said. "We also had basketballs and jumbo tents, several of them, so we can shade during events. Tables and chairs and sternos that we use to feed the kids.""We used to just come in here and always feel free and be able to play, splashing water on each other's faces and be able to have an amazing time with each other," said Lovely Rayy.
Instead, the center has become a place for looters to strip bare and break through to steal and destroy what this group has worked so hard to build. The Hartranft Playground Alliance is a nonprofit, and the early estimate is around $5,000 worth of property damaged or stolen. They need help to ensure they can give these kids the kind of summer they were looking forward to. Anyone who wants to contribute to help the kids have a better summer can email at
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Philadelphia man sentenced to up to 52 years in prison for Philadelphia Mills Mall murderA Philadelphia man was sentenced to between 26 and 52 years in prison for the murder of Domonic Billa, 21, more than two years ago.
Read more »
Gunmen open fire in North Philadelphia, critically injuring man who was coming home from workA 24-year-old man is fighting for his life after police say he was caught in a barrage of gunfire outside of his home. Four children and another adult who were inside the home at the time were not harmed.
Read more »
Man shot to death inside North Philadelphia home, wife critically injuredPolice say the husband was pronounced dead at the scene and the wife was taken to the hospital in critical condition. Both had been shot in the head.
Read more »
Two hurt in North Philadelphia axe attackPolice have arrested a man after two people were wounded in an axe attack in North Philadelphia early Saturday.
Read more »