Southwest Philadelphia: Fixing Cars and the Community

Ever since October 2, 2006, Cecil Snead’s wardrobe has turned to black. It was the day his son was killed.

Just a few blocks away from Snead’s business, Joshua Snead was gunned down on 55th Street between Greenway and Woodland Avenue.

However, despite his son’s tragic ending, Snead continues to try to rebuild the neighborhood through his business, TC Auto Tires & Brakes Inc., located at 5305 Woodland Ave., and community work.

“I’m strong, because that happened that made me even stronger,” Snead said.

With constant investigation the murders of Joshua Snead were captured. Both men involved in the killing were charged with double homicide and will face an additional 20 years in prison.

Snead is an active member in the neighborhood watch and his goal is to keep the streets of Southwest Philadelphia safer.

“You have a lot of crimes being committed on the streets that people need to open their eyes and see these things and take charge and help one another,” Snead said. “And I strongly believe that one good deed deserves another good deed.”

Although Snead spends countless hours patrolling the neighborhood, he fears that the crime rate continues to increase, he said.

Snead fears that without the community’s support the crime rate in the city will increase, he said.

“People see things but they don’t want to talk, they want to stay hush-hush,” Snead said. “They are afraid to be called a snitch.  They are afraid of the repercussions of what someone might come back to do to them, or their family,”

Snead and the residents of the community have been faced with constant obstacles while living in the neighborhood. But through out the struggles Snead relies on faith and exemplifies good morals.

“You have to believe in God and walk in faith,” Snead said. “I try to be good by people and people are always good to me.”