Sandwiched between some of the busiest, roughest blocks in town, the 5900 block of McCallum Street is a rare find. Quiet, peaceful and pleasant for the most part, you would never know this residential block was in the heart of Germantown.
On the south end of McCallum lies the well- traveled Rittenhouse Street, and to the north the notoriously turbulent Haines Street, both of which cap the small block of only 35 or so townhouses and homes.
Located only minutes from Germantown High School, a block from Vernon Park and with several convenience shops, produce markets, the Free Library of Philadelphia and a YMCA all within walking distance, the neighborhood is able to easily access some of the greatest advantages of living in the Northwest.
With the 14th district of the Philadelphia Police Department located just around the corner and an early childhood development center right in the middle of the residential block it seems as if this particular block is the safest in all of Germantown. However, the truth is although this may seem like the Pleasantville of Germantown, the residents of this particular block still suffer the disadvantages of living in an economically disadvantaged neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Stephen Taylor, 19, a Germantown High School student and resident of the 5900 McCallum block, says, “If you take a right on Haines and keep goin’ a couple blocks, you’re gonna hit some bad neighborhoods pretty quick.” Although the 5900 street is thought of as quiet and respectful, the areas surrounding can be potentially dangerous and though the residents feel safe on their home block, they know in which directions and how far to travel outside of it before they begin to feel unsafe.
Kevin Bradley, 25, an officer of the 39th District of the Philadelphia Police and a resident of the block, tells of the surrounding rough areas. “Of course, if you keep heading up Haines towards the east, you’re going to notice the difference in the neighborhoods as you keep moving, and some of the areas around us have gangs, like over on Wayne Avenue they have a gang that calls themselves the ‘Wayne Ave Riders.’”
Besides the surrounding areas posing a potential threat to the generally peaceful community of this particular McCallum block, the street has its own problems with sewage, through traffic, trash regulations and city upkeep.
Kevin Bradley recently bought the home of his grandmother and is currently renovating it. But he complains about the sewage. “It starts to stink and it comes up right into my windows.”
Alza Carter, another 5900 McCallum resident, discusses her worries about the traffic that goes through the block coming off of or finding their way onto busier streets. “They come around the corner, not realizing this street is a two way coming off of one ways in all directions and they end up pulling out in front of other cars or sideswiping the ones parked because they’re going way too fast.”
Alza also reveals that having the police department right around the corner can give a false sense of security. “The police station is so close that this block is somewhat neglected and not readily patrolled as it should be because it’s assumed that we’re so close we’re bound to be safe,” she says, “and some of the fastest cars tearing through here are the police vehicles on their way through or out.” Vehicle vandalism, window breaking and property damage are the most common forms of criminal activity that the residents fall victim of on the block.
Trash is another issue raised in the neighborhood; the city requires residents to keep their trash bins in the back yard on days when it is not to be picked up. However, for residents with disabilities and health problems, pulling the heavy trash receptacles in and out through the alleys can be more than difficult.
The overgrowth of tree branches into the electrical wires on the street poses another concern for the residents. Although the city has been prompt in the removal of the overgrowth in the past, it has neglected to treat the area so far this year.
One of the most common issues residents voiced a similar opinion with the area is having a family and raising their children there. The issue was not the rough neighborhoods or the traffic dangers. It was the public school system the area had to offer.
“Germantown High School is just not up to par.” Kevin Bradley said when asked if he would raise a family on the block, adding that he planned to move to the suburbs before starting a family. Alza Carter had the same reaction, but she solved the issue in another way. “I sent my kids to private school. I am just not satisfied with the academic status or the reputation the schools available to the public have.”
Like any neighborhood or any block, 5900 McCallum has its problems, its concerned residents and its room to make improvements, but within a small area there is a tight- knit community that is in every sense grateful for the block–the one they call the “best kept secret” of Germantown.
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