Cindy Bass tells Mt. Airy town watch group that education is key to improving the city

Issues concerning crime and education were just a few of the many topics discussed at the Mt. Airy-Nippon-Bryan-Cresheim Town Watch monthly meeting. The goal was to find creative ways to combat crime.

Bass explained her first of many priorities is making sure that youth in the district are not only graduating, but also graduating with a plan. “I want to know what they will be doing the day after they graduate, whether it’s going to school, joining the military or getting a job; they need a plan.”

She also said she plans to make sure that students are graduating with a quality education.

Aside from education, Bass also expressed her awareness about crime in the area. Noting that some parts are more about survival than others. “I understand that different parts deal with different types of crimes but it all needs to end.”

About twenty residents turned out for Thursday night’s meeting in Mt. Airy. The group explained that they have already been combating crime. “We have worked with the 14th Police District and even held sit-ins on Germantown Avenue to let people know we will not tolerate any crime or drug related activities in our community,” said Steve Stroiman.

At the end of the meeting, attendees appeared content with the conversation between themselves and Bass.

Moving forward, the group says they hope this is one of many meetings they will have with Bass.

Started almost 25 years ago, the Mt. Airy-Nippon-Bryan-Cresheim Town Watch was created for residents to band together to patrol the neighborhood from crime. In its tenure, the group has been able to create change, not just against crime but other issues deemed problematic.

For more information on how you can join Mt. Airy-Nippon-Bryan-Cresheim Town Watch, you can join their yahoo group at groups.yahoo.com/group/Mtairy/Nippoon/BryanCresheimTownwatch