by Alex Lloyd Gross
July 22, 2022
Three individuals acting like hoodlums caused a city pool to close for the summer in Kensington, right in the middle of summer. The incident happened yesterday afternoon,about 4:25 PM. Workers at the McViegh Rec center located at D and Ontario Streets were trying to eject three females from the pool for unruly behavior. The females refused to get out of the pool and words were exchanged. The pool was then closed to everyone, in an effort to get the three out of the pool.
When the three females did exit the pool, they exhibited behavior equal to a neanderthal, as they followed the staff into the building. When the staff told them they could not enter, that is when the three assaulted the staff with punches and by pushing and shoving. Finally, the staff were able to get the hoodlums out of the rec center, however the three were not finished with their reign of terror.
Captain Matthew James Of the East Detective Division asked anyone with cameras that might have captured the kids leaving or entering, to please call them.
They saw the cars that the staff drove to the pool for work and got to work vandalizing the cars. A Kia Sorento – scratches on the hood Genesis Coupe – scratches on the hood and a broken windshield Saturn sedan – dent on the roof of the vehicle and scratches along the vehicle .
In typical hood rat fashion, two more males arrived at the center and tried to steal a bag from a staff member. The bag was recovered. A helmet for a scooter was not and was stolen.
The employees of the rec center are:
40/H/M, complaint of pain in the wrist and shoulder
36/H/F, complaint of pain in the ankle, wrist, and finger.
17/H/M, complaint of pain in leg, ankle, and knee
37/H/F, complaint of pain in back, legs, shoulder, and arms. Additionally, this complainant had a bag taken from her vehicle.
63/W/F, complaint of pain in her left arm. Her bag was taken but was recovered. A helmet for her scooter was taken.
According to Kathryn Ott Lovell Commissioner Philadelphia Parks and recreation, “A decision was made to close the McVeigh Pool for the summer. “We have had problems there, especially after hours, with people trying to climb the fence to get into the pool. It’s dangerous”, she said. The pool area was vandalized as well with lifeguard stands tipped over and signs thrown about.
She urged kids to use the Stanley pool which was a few blocks away. That distance of a few block is un reachable for small children or for people with no car. None of the rec staff needed any hospital treatment, Ott Lovell said.
Police are combing through lots of video and encourage those responsible to come forward. The police will release video and neighborhood residents will be too happy to turn them in, as they are the ones that caused the pool to close.