Port Richmond

It’s a beautiful break from the arctic blast that hit Philadelphia only days before. Port Richmond gleams in the bright clear sunshine on Sunday morning. The small streets are well kept and clean and show the pride that the residents of Port Richmond take in their neighborhood.

 We pull up and park across the street from the Mother of Divine Grace on Cambria and Thompson. A family is walking out from a christening, the baby wrapped in white baptismal gown.

There are families out for Sunday strolls and children on scooters. A group of kids kick a basketball a bit too far and it hits a car. They scatter in a din of scared laughter.

 Neighbors gather on their stoops watching a scene unfold between police, fire, and ambulance. The police give us a funny look as we ask what happened. Their only response “There wasn’t a fire.” We tell them we’re journalism students, it doesn’t help.

One thing that sticks about Port Richmond is the amount of American flags and signs supporting Philadelphia Police.

 The Valentines Day decorations give the houses a warm festive feeling. There is even a lone straggler with Santas and “Merry Christmas” lights on their porch.

 We wonder up to Clearfield Street and make a left towards Belgrade Street and see the Police Athletic League Headquarters. The sign sways in the strong wind. Making a left on Belgrade we pass a few families enjoying the mid-winter break who eye us incredulously.

A few minutes later and we arrive at the Richmond Elementary School. It’s shut up tight on this beautiful Sunday. The children who attend it walk around freely, knowing in only 24 short hours they will have to return.
We wander back to the car and notice that State Representative John Taylor’s office is on the opposite corner of the Church. We get in and drive back towards the Philadelphia skyline.

Group 12- Ryan Judge, Thandi Williams, Andrew Sposato