Philly Guilt

[Rich_S]

I'm a Philly boy through-and-through. Born in Wissinoming, grew up in Abington (summers on LBI). Got my degree at Drexel. My musical foundations are Zapf's 5th Street, The Spectrum, The Tower Theater, and South Street. We haven't lived anywhere near since the mid '90s, but I'll always be "from Philly".

My son and his girlfriend went down to Philly for a long weekend getaway. They were going to see some band that her sister or some acquaintance was playing in. They got an Air BnB in Fishtown and had a nice weekend. This morning, as they prepared to come home, my son started up his GF's car, which was parked in an outpdoor lot overnight. Then he called me, asking what would cause a car that was fine 10 hours ago to make a horrible roaring noise, and bad smell, and a check engine light. I regretfully informed him that it somebody most likely stole the catalytic converter. This was confirmed when he set his phone for video and waved it around under the car.

Nice weekend ruined. Now they're waiting for the cops to show up so they have a Police report in case they file and insurance claim. Or they might just pay out-of-pocket for the mobile repair shop guy that the Air BnB host recommended. Either way, HUGE hassle. My son will miss work tomorrow and his GF needs to be back for school on Tuesday.

As the family's official Philadelphian, I feel guilty.

 

[Mjark]

Bummer but people steal everywhere. I consider the Philly area home too even though I haven't lived there since 1984. I lived in Berwyn, then later lived around Collegeville. We used to go to 8th Street music when it was on Chestnut I think about 1968. I've seen Todd Rundgren there a few times. Many Spectrum shows and the Main Point in Brynmawr. That was just the best place ever to get to see so many legendary musicians.

 

[marshman]

Lived the bulk of my life in the "Philly Market" (Phillies/Eagles, radio, TV, etc) but most of my life has been an hour from downtown, and I really hate the reputation Philly has with such matters. I love the city, but like most cities, large tracts of it are not that safe.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

must of seen the out of state plates and saw an easy mark...sucks man

 

[Blrfl]

Catalytic converter theft has become a huge problem anywhere there are catalytic converters and people who want to steal something they can turn into money.

Yet another problem the shift to EVs will solve. <Grin & Duck>

 

[schmee]

Another readily solved issue that no one is solving.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

Bummer but people steal everywhere. I consider the Philly area home too even though I haven't lived there since 1984. I lived in Berwyn, then later lived around Collegeville. We used to go to 8th Street music when it was on Chestnut I think about 1968. I've seen Todd Rundgren there a few times. Many Spectrum shows and the Main Point in Brynmawr. That was just the best place ever to get to see so many legendary musicians.

late 90s to early 00s i worked at 850 w lancaster ave in bryn mawr...the old main point was a few buildings toward villanova (i also worked at villanova U in high school late in the 70s) from my work...when i worked there it was a comic book store and now is a used furniture store

 

[0SubSeanik0]

That's happening everywhere, unfortunately. In my town there are so many Priuses (Priae?) and other hybrids who's cat converters fetch a high return, it's like an endless orchard of short fruit trees. The thieves here can pull them off in under a minute, and there is a black market network of shops who will buy these stolen parts. Can't blame this on Philly.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

Catalytic converter theft has become a huge problem anywhere there are catalytic converters and people who want to steal something they can turn into money.

Yet another problem the shift to EVs will solve. <Grin & Duck>

lots of performance cars go catless...maybe thats a way to combat theives

EVs will and have their own problems...nothing is perfect and no solution is the absolute fix

 

[Dog Bite]

South Philly born and raised. They didn't steal no cad converts there when I was a kid on 2nd street. Well that was in the early 50s Almost no one had a car and ccs weren't invented lol. Milk was delivered by horse and wagon. And we got steak sandwiches from Horsemeat Annie's. Yeah real horsemeat.

 

[Marc Morfei]

I have lived and/or worked in Philly for the past 30 years. 3 of our 4 adult children live there now, one in Fishtown. Sadly, crime has definitely increased the past few years. There is always crime in every place. But there are many more incidents now in broad daylight on crowded streets. I have lived in big cities most of my life and never worried about crime. But these days I’m starting to.

 

[Brad Pittiful]

South Philly born and raised. They didn't steal no cad converts there when I was a kid on 2nd street. Well that was in the early 50s Almost no one had a car and ccs weren't inventet lol. Milk was delivered by horse and wagon. And we got steak sandwiches from Horsemeat Annie's. Yeah real horsemeat.

do you know why there is no...first street in philly...its because the quakers said god is first so they didnt name anything first...so its called front street instead of first

 

[Brad Pittiful]

I have lived and/or worked in Philly for the past 30 years. 3 of our 4 adult children live there now, one in Fishtown. Sadly, crime has definitely increased the past few years. There is always crime in every place. But there are many more incidents now in broad daylight on crowded streets. I have lived in big cities most of my life and never worried about crime. But these days I’m starting to.

i watched a youtuber called the philly captain...he makes videos in bridesburg...fishtown...port richmond (as well as other parts of the city)...never speaks of those areas as being crime areas...he uses an electric scooter to get around

 

[Dog Bite]

Didn't know that. Our house was on Dickinson st between Front and Second.

 

[Cpt.Blues]

Philly has certainly gone downhill over the past 5 years or so. My wife and I were recently there and I couldn't believe how horrible things have become. We stayed in Old Town and walked to Center City and didn't feel safe at all. Dozens of vacant store fronts, homeless everywhere, trash and graffiti all over the place. Stores are closing all over the place due to rampant theft and "smash and grab" robberies. The major chain stores are closing up because and leaving due to this. We were told the cops won't do anything about it. If they arrive while looting is going on they are told to "disperse" the crowd, not arrest anyone. While standing on a street corner waiting at a light over a dozen off-road motorcycles and ATV's went racing down the street speeding and doing wheelies and 4 cops on the corner (2 motorcycle officers and 2 patrol cars) did nothing. It was unbelievable. I love Philly, and the Eagles, but it will be a long time before I ever go back.

 

[Dog Bite]

Out front of my aunts house in South Philly. Almost every kid who grew up there had their picture taken on a pony

 

[Peegoo]

This thread is heading south.
Way south of Philly.

This thread has "gone Baltimore!"

 

[Brad Pittiful]

Out front of my aunts house in South Philly. Almost every kid who grew up there had their picture taken on a pony View attachment 1086998

my mom was from south philly...moore street...grew up in the 30s/40s...there were a family of 8...if it cost money to get a pic on a horse...they couldnt afford it...youngest pic of my mom we have is of her as a early teen and then in her high school year book

 

[telemnemonics]

Wait what?

Stayed at an AirBnb, got your cat stolen, and the AirBnb guy has a guy who will come sell you the perfect cat on site???

 

[telemnemonics]

my mom was from south philly...moore street...grew up in the 30s/40s...there were a family of 8...if it cost money to get a pic on a horse...they couldnt afford it...youngest pic of my mom we have is of her as a early teen and then in her high school year book

First place I lived was Spruce St in Philly after they brought me home from Jefferson Memorial.

Possibly the earliest pic of me is sitting on a crane operators knee where we walked past going to Rittenhouse Square.
Crane operator was demolishing a building and told me which lever to pull, resulting in the wrecking ball swinging into the building and knocking down some bricks!

Wonder why I did not end up a drummer?