Archdiocese of Philadelphia Statement on Msgr. Joseph L. Logrip

press release/Dec. 8, 2019

Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip was placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties were restricted in January 2019 following an allegation that he sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s. That allegation has been

substantiated and he has been found unsuitable for ministry.

Contextual Background Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

Previous Administrative Leave Case (2011)

Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip was previously placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties were restricted by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia following the March 2011 Philadelphia Grand Jury Report. That action was taken based on an allegation that he had sexually abused a minor over two decades before that time.

The allegation was referred to law enforcement and public announcements were made to the media as well as the parish communities where Monsignor Logrip had been serving at that time.

The required canonical (church) investigation of Monsignor Logrip was launched after law enforcement declined to press charges in that matter. The Archdiocesan Office of Investigations (AOI) undertook that canonical process.

The AOI is responsible for conducting internal and canonical investigations following the conclusion of work performed by civil authorities. At the time it investigated Monsignor Logrip the AOI was headed by a former Deputy District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. Currently, the office is led by a former First Assistant District Attorney for the City and County of Philadelphia. The AOI also performs investigations in matters that center on alleged activity that is not illegal in nature, but that may violate

The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries

established by the Archdiocese.

The Director of the AOI oversees the work noted above and is the liaison between the Archbishop and the Archdiocesan Professional Responsibilities Review Board (APRRB). The APRRB was established in 2002 and functions as a confidential advisory body to the Archbishop. It is composed of 12 men and women, both Catholic and non-Catholic, who possess extensive professional experience in investigation, prosecution, child abuse prevention, victim services, and the treatment of sexual offenders. Information regarding the credentials of the APRRB’s members is available at

http://archphila.org/archdiocesan-offices/office-of-investigations/review-board-members/

The APRRB receives the results of canonical investigations conducted by the Office of Investigations. The APRRB then evaluates all facts and makes a recommendation to the Archbishop regarding an individual cleric’s suitability for ministry so that he can make a decision in the matter.

In 2014, this board recommended to the Archbishop that Monsignor Logrip was suitable for ministry based on an unsubstantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined that Monsignor Logrip was suitable for ministry.

Upon his return to ministry, Monsignor Logrip began serving as a Chaplain at Camilla Hall, a retirement home for female religious in Malvern (Chester County), and as a weekend assistant at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine (Chester County).

Information about the 2014 finding regarding Monsignor Logrip’s suitability for ministry can be found at

http://archphila.org/press%20releases/pr002385.php

Current Administrative Leave Case (2019)

A new allegation that Monsignor Logrip sexually abused a minor in the early 1980s was received by the Archdiocese in late 2018. This matter was referred to law enforcement at that time and the Archdiocese cooperated fully with authorities in the course of their investigation.

As a result of the new allegation, Monsignor Logrip was placed on administrative leave and his priestly faculties were restricted in January 2019. Since being placed on administrative leave, he has not been permitted to exercise his ministry public, present himself publicly as a priest, or be present in any parishes or schools.

The information above was shared with residents at Camilla Hall as well as with parishioners at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine and the news media in January 2019 when Monsignor Logrip was placed on administrative leave. Counselors were also made available to parishioners at that time.

Information about the 2019 administrative leave announcement can be found at

http://archphila.org/archdiocese-of-philadelphia-places-one-priest-on-administrative-leave-and-announces-two-others-have-been-found-unsuitable-for-ministry/

Today’s Announcement Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

Following the completion of investigative work by law enforcement in conjunction with the allegation leading to Monsignor Logrip’s most recent administrative leave, no criminal charges were filed. At that time, the required canonical (church) investigation of this matter commenced. That investigation was conducted by the AOI in the same manner noted above.

The results of the investigation were forwarded to the APRRB. After evaluating all facts, the APRRB recommended to the Archbishop that Monsignor Logrip was unsuitable for ministry based on a substantiated allegation of sexual abuse of a minor. Archbishop Chaput accepted that recommendation and determined that Monsignor Logrip is unsuitable for ministry. His case will now be forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at the Vatican in keeping with procedure for the formal canonical process.

The information above was shared with residents at Camilla Hall and with parishioners at Saint Peter Parish in West Brandywine at all Masses this weekend. Counselors were also made available to those parishioners at all Masses.

Biographical Information Regarding Reverend Monsignor Joseph L. Logrip

Monsignor Logrip is 74 years old. He was ordained in 1972. He has served at the following parishes, schools and offices: Saint Ignatius, Yardley (1972-1974); Saint Rose of Lima, North Wales (1974-1975); Bishop Kenrick High School (1974-1983); Epiphany of Our Lord, Plymouth Meeting (1975-1981); Saint Gabriel’s Hall (1981-1983); Archbishop Carroll High School (1983-1990); Saint Francis of Assisi, Norristown (1990-1992); Saint Monica, Philadelphia (1992-1994); Mater Dolorosa, Philadelphia (1994-2000); Immaculate Conception, Levittown (2000-2007); Saints Philip and James, Exton (2007-2008); Mother of Divine Grace, Philadelphia (2008-2010); Chaplain, Saint Mary Manor (2010-2011); Saint Stanislaus, Lansdale (2010-2011); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2011); found suitable for ministry (2014); Chaplain, Camilla Hall (2014-2019); Saint Peter Parish, West Brandywine (2017-2019); placed on administrative leave and faculties restricted (2019); found unsuitable for ministry (2019).

To Make a Report

We recognize that today’s public notice may be painful to victims of sexual violence and exploitation. If you need support or assistance, victim services are available to you through the Victim Assistance Office of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at 1-888-800-8780 or

philavac@archphila.org

If you would like to report an allegation of sexual abuse or any other criminal activity perpetrated by a priest, deacon, employee, or volunteer of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, contact your local law enforcement agency and/or the Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

If you would like to report a violation of

The Standards of Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries

, contact the Archdiocesan Office for Investigations at 1-888-930-9010.

OFFICER DOWN: Policeman Billy Fred Clardy Killed During Drug Raid

BILLY FRED CLARDY, III

Huntsville Police Department, Alabama

End of Watch

Friday, December 6, 2019

HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA–Agent Billy Clardy III was shot and killed while participating in a narcotics operation with the HIDTA Gulf Coast Task Force.

The task force was conducting a buy-bust operation at a home on Levert Street, near the intersection of Oakwood Avenue, at 4:00 pm. Agents attempted to take the suspect into custody as the man delivered a large amount of narcotics to the home. The man immediately opened fire, striking Agent Clardy in an area not protected by his vest.

The man then fled on foot but was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. He was charged with capital murder.

Agent Clardy was a U.S. Army veteran. He had served with the Huntsville Police Department for 14 years and had previously served with the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office and the Fayetteville, Tennessee, Police Department. He is survived by his wife and five children.

Agent Clardy’s father, Police Officer Billy Clardy, Jr., was also killed in the line of duty while serving with the Huntsville Police Department. Officer Clardy, Jr., was killed in a vehicle crash on May 3rd, 1978.

Via

Officer Down Memorial page

CNB Crime

Blue Line

CNBNews Tips and Snippets

CNBNews Point of View

BREAKING NEWS

published Gloucestercitynews.net | Dec. 8, 2019

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Expands CAPP+ Program

PHILADELPHIA PA–Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) is proud to announce a partnership with

The Enterprise Center

, in conjunction with Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), to build the number of licensed contractors in Philadelphia and expand CHOP’s

Community Asthma Prevention Program Plus Home Repairs (CAPP+) initiative.

This effort will offer training and resources to local contractors interested in scaling up their business and create economic opportunity for minority contractors as the partners build a pipeline of PHDC-approved contractors for CAPP+.

CHOP, in partnership with PHDC, launched the CAPP+ Home Repairs Program in 2018. The program addresses the impact of unhealthy housing on pediatric asthma outcomes in West Philadelphia neighborhoods, where asthma affects approximately one out of four children. CAPP+ expands the focus of CHOP’s award-winning

CAPP program

to include home repairs aiming to further reduce asthma-related emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations by removing asthma triggers in the home.

“To-date, CAPP+’s pilot program has successfully renovated 10 homes with plans underway to renovate another 29 homes within the first phase of our program. We are confident that by helping to build the supply of qualified contractors in Philadelphia, we will be able to complete even more renovations,” said Peter Grollman, Senior Vice President for External Affairs at CHOP. “In the pilot phase of the program, the average time from clinician referral to the program to final home inspection was 111 days. With our new Enterprise Center partnership and scaled up workforce, we anticipate reducing this time dramatically so that families can get into renovated homes faster, with less disruption to their daily lives.”

“The Enterprise Center is partnering with CHOP’s CAPP+ program to provide technical assistance to participating construction and construction-related businesses remediating and repairing homes to fight asthma,” said Seulky McInneshin, PhD, Executive Vice President, The Enterprise Center. “We will provide resources to help contractors achieve all of the requirements needed to make them eligible to compete for PHDC jobs, including support to obtain a contactors license, offering classes in lead containment during repairs and opportunities to boost insurance coverage.”

“The Enterprise Center will funnel contractors through to PHDC and track metrics for 5 years to watch how the businesses grow,” added McInneshin.

“With the CAPP+ Program, we’ve created the need for a construction market that didn’t exist a year ago, and we need more qualified contractors in the pipeline,” said David S. Thomas, President & CEO, PHDC. “This is the ideal opportunity for someone who wants to grow their business; we are looking for trade specialists, as well.”

After successfully meeting all of the requirements for a PHDC job, the companies can also become certified as a women/minority-owned business, and be eligible to bid on additional construction opportunities throughout the city.

CAPP+ is a component of

Healthier Together

, CHOP’s umbrella initiative that focuses on some of the most pressing health and economic needs in neighborhoods surrounding the hospital’s campus.

Interested contractors can apply here:

bit.ly/TECBusinessSupport

Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer is Better Than Representing Yourself

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Dec. 8, 2019)–Over the years, an increasing number of claimants have been pursuing compensation for personal injury without the relevant legal representation. On paper, this process may often seem relatively simple – especially for ‘open and shut’ cases – but any personal injury claim can be a testing time for all parties involved, and representing yourself can be harder than you realize.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

Most personal injury lawyers are reluctant to take a case on unless they are sure that it has potential to win, so this itself can be a great pointer for you when it comes to determining whether or not pursuing your case is going to be worth the emotional dedication, stress and the cost. Once an attorney from a reputable firm – like this team of

Indianapolis personal injury lawyers

– has agreed to take on your case, one of the first things that they will do is provide you with a theoretical settlement figure. There are many ways to determine this, including expert opinions, legal guidelines, and simply understanding the market.

Keeping a Clear Head when an Offer is Made

If you have a relatively strong case in terms of compensation, it can be easy to rush when a settlement offer is made. Hiring a personal injury lawyer is usually helpful in this situation as they have the skills and expertise to put themselves in the shoes of those representing the defendant, who will have access to the same evidence as yourself and have likely come to the same conclusion. But even if it’s fairly obvious that liability has been proven, don’t underestimate the tendency of insurance adjusters to try and get away with

the lowest possible settlement offer

. Having a good personal injury lawyer by your side will help you get the maximum, rather than the minimum amount.

Be Ready for all the Negotiation

The good news is that the vast majority of personal injury claims are settled without ever reaching the courtroom, which can make getting the compensation that you’re entitled to that little bit easier. But, don’t underestimate the negotiation process that it takes to get here – a skilled personal injury lawyer can not only help you get the biggest settlement, but also expertly negotiate in order to avoid your case going to court unless absolutely necessary.

Where to Avoid an Early Settlement

That being said, there are some situations where an early settlement might not be the best course of action – waiting some time, and

being prepared to go to trial

is often the better option if you have not yet made a full recovery from your injuries; if your doctors have estimated that you’ll take at least six months to recover; if you have suffered multiple injuries that require you to see several specialists; if your treatment is still ongoing; or if you don’t have a definitive answer regarding your recovery time. Speak to your lawyer if you are in any of these situations, as they will be able to advise on the best action to take.

Representing yourself in a personal injury case might seem easy enough, but you’ll usually always get the best results working with an experienced lawyer.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Avalon Police Department Holding Christmas Toy Drive

AVALON NJ–The Avalon Police Department will be hosting a Toy Drive for the Cape May County Children Services. The donations will be provided to children and families who have been exposed to domestic violence, abuse and neglect.

The Avalon Police Department will be accepting donations of new and unwrapped toys for children up to the age of 13 years. The wrapping paper and tape donations are also needed.

Residents and business owners can stop by the Avalon Police Department, at their convenience, to make their donation in the donation bin in the lobby.

The Avalon Police Department would like to thank everyone for their donations and participation in advance!

Deadline for donations is December 18, 2019

Grape Street Crips Member Sentenced To Life

In Prison For Murder Of Bystander And Related Drug-Trafficking Charges

NEWARK, N.J. – A member of the Grape Street Crips gang was sentenced today to life in prison for murder in aid of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, conspiracy to distribute heroin, and other drug crimes, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Khalil Stafford, a/k/a “Stod,” a/k/a “Homicide,” 35, of Newark, was previously convicted following a three-week trial before U.S. District Judge Madeline Cox Arleo, who imposed the sentence today in Newark federal court. Stafford had been acquitted of the murder charge following a 2013 state jury trial in Essex County.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

On June 19, 2010, during a family cookout on Garside Street in Newark, Stafford – a long-time member of the Grape Street Crips – confronted an individual about a drug debt. Stafford and several other gang-members left the cookout to retrieve firearms and later returned. They fired more than a dozen shots at the person whom Stafford originally confronted. A woman who was not involved in the dispute was standing on a nearby porch, and was shot and killed. Two other people were wounded and survived.

Stafford sold heroin and cocaine at the James Baxter Terrace housing complex from 2003 until it was demolished in 2009. After Baxter Terrace was torn down, Stafford continued to distribute heroin and cocaine at the Wynona Lipman public housing complex. In 2014, Stafford and a conspirator sold to DEA confidential informants nearly $20,000 worth of heroin in separate transactions.

Stafford was charged – along with 13 other defendants –with RICO conspiracy, murder in aid racketeering, conspiracy to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin, and possession with intent to distribute one kilogram of more of heroin. All 14 defendants have now been convicted.

Another 66 members and associates of the Grape Street Crips who were arrested in a coordinated takedown in May 2015 were separately charged with drug-trafficking, physical assaults, and witness intimidation, and all have been convicted. These individuals include:

• Corey Hamlet, a/k/a “C-Blaze,” 41, of Newark, sentenced to life in prison;

• Kwasi Mack, a/k/a “Welches,” 30, of Newark, sentenced to 45 years in prison and five years’ supervised release;

• Tony Phillips, a/k/a “Blue,” 28, of Newark, sentenced to life in prison;

• Ahmad Manley, a/k/a “Fresh,” 32, of Summit, New Jersey, sentenced to 35 years in prison and five years’ supervised release;

• Rashan Washington, a/k/a “Shoota,” 31, of Newark, sentenced to 30 years in prison and ten years’ supervised release;

• Justin Carnegie, a/k/a “Dew Hi,” 31, of Newark, sentenced to 25 years in prison and ten years’ supervised release;

• Ahmed Singleton, a/k/a “Gangsta Mu,” 30, of Newark, sentenced to 19 years in prison and five years’ supervised release;

• Eric Concepcion, a/k/a “Wax,” 33, of Newark, sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years’ supervised release;

• Hakeem Vanderhall, a/k/a “Keem,” 34, of Newark, sentenced to 18 years in prison and five years’ supervised release;

• Hanee Cureton, a/k/a “City,” 34, of Springfield, New Jersey, sentenced to 12 years in prison and five years’ supervised release; and

• James Gutierrez, a/k/a “Bad News,” 27, of Newark, sentenced to 11 years in prison and five years’ supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark, special agents of the DEA, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Susan A. Gibson, and special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s sentencing. He also thanked the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Acting Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II, police officers and detectives of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, and the Essex County Sherriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Armando B. Fontoura, for their assistance with the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Osmar J. Benvenuto, Chief of the Organized Crime and Gangs Unit within the Criminal Division in Newark, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard J. Ramsay of the Appeals Division in Newark.

This case was conducted under the auspices of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. The principal mission of the OCDETF program is to identify, disrupt and dismantle the most serious drug trafficking, weapons trafficking and money laundering organizations and those primarily responsible for the nation’s illegal drug supply.

Defense counsel: John McMahon Esq., West Orange, New Jersey

Are Cell Towers Dangerous to Humans and Pets?

Studies indicate that proximity to base stations correlates with headaches, dizziness, depression and other neurobehavioral symptoms, as well as increased cancer risk. Animal studies also

image of a cell tower

indicate that these effects may be cumulative.

Newswise — No one can over engineer like an engineer. So introducing a little more caution into an existing engineering process is nothing much to ruffle feathers. A new paper published in

Environmental Research

offers insight on how to include simple precautionary approaches to siting cell towers.

Joshua Pearce is the Richard Witte Endowed Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and a professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He runs the Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology (MOST) Lab, which works on solar photovoltaics, 3D printing, and open source science hardware.

And there are many cell towers — and more coming — since almost everyone has a cell phone and the towers are being used for more data intensive applications. In the U.S., the Pew Research Center reports 96% of Americans own a cell phone of some kind, and smart phone ownership today has risen to 81% from 35% in 2011. Industry data reported by GSMA Intelligence estimates more than five billion people worldwide use mobile devices. All these devices work using electromagnetic waves, which expose people to low levels of radio-frequency radiation (RFR).

“The research on the health impacts of RFR is still inconclusive. But some of the preliminary data gives us reason to be concerned,” said Joshua Pearce, a professor in electrical and materials engineering from Michigan Technological University who led the study, which reviews current data on RFR and engineering solutions for placing towers. “I’m pro-tech and I’m pro-human, so I think there are ways for us to have our cell phones and minimize potential risk without waiting to find out that putting a cell tower on top of a school was a bad idea.”

Pearce and his team’s solutions focus on getting companies to rethink where to place cell towers when they do a standard “search ring” map that prioritizes potential sites based on maximizing coverage for the least cost. Assessing tower placement is not a new idea; Canada and many European countries are looking into siting guidelines that help keep particularly vulnerable populations safe, like kids and those with illnesses.

The handful of human studies reviewed in Pearce’s paper indicate that proximity to base stations correlates with headaches, dizziness, depression and other neurobehavioral symptoms, as well as increased cancer risk. Animal studies also indicate that these effects may be cumulative.

Given the current research, cell towers would be cautiously placed 500 meters, or about a third of a mile, away from schools, hospitals and lots of sleeping people in dense neighborhoods or high rises.

The challenge in the U.S., unlike in India where such setback laws are already in place, is the laws that govern cell tower siting plans in Section 704 of The Telecommunications Act of 1996 specifically eliminate “environmental effects” from consideration.

“This is a peculiar law, but saying that something is legal doesn’t make it right or cost-effective in the long run,” Pearce said. “It’s in companies’ best interests to be thoughtful about where to place cell towers; they don’t want to move towers or be held responsible down the line. These effects are inadvertent — but there are options to do it differently that can reduce potential health impacts and thus a company’s future bottom line.”

In addition to revamping search ring mapping to include a 500-meter buffer, which doesn’t impact the cost of the siting process but reduces future liability, Pearce says there are other more innovative options, like cell splitting and small cell deployment, that could also decrease RFR exposure. At the end of the day, it comes down to thinking before building.

Hindus want Clifton Apparel Co. to Withdraw Lord Ganesh Underwear

Upset Hindus are urging Clifton (New Jersey) headquartered apparel label Customon for immediate withdrawal of a thong and panty carrying image of Hindu deity Ganesh; calling it highly inappropriate.

image provided with press release

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that Lord Ganesh was highly revered in Hinduism and was meant to be worshipped in temples or home shrines and not to adorn one’s crotch. Inappropriate usage of Hindu deities or concepts or symbols for commercial or other agenda was not okay as it hurt the devotees.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, also urged “Customon” to offer a formal apology, besides withdrawing Lord Ganesh underwear.

Hinduism was the oldest and third largest religion of the world with about 1.1 billion adherents and a rich philosophical thought and it should not be taken frivolously. Symbols of any faith, larger or smaller, should not be mishandled, Rajan Zed noted.

Zed further said that such trivialization of Hindu deities was disturbing for the Hindus. Hindus were for free artistic expression and speech as much as anybody else if not more. But faith was something sacred and attempts at trivializing it hurt the followers, Zed added.

In Hinduism, Lord Ganesh is worshipped as god of wisdom and remover of obstacles and is invoked before the beginning of any major undertaking.

Both, Ganesh Thong and Ganesh Pantie for women, were priced at $18.64 each. Ganesh Thong’s “Product Info” stated that “you can be sexy with this well-formed under garments”. Customon, which claims to be “one of the leading custom t-shirt digital printing and embroidery services in the industry”, has another office in Eatontown (New Jersey). Its products include t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, sweatshirts, hats/caps, underwear, phone-cases, mugs, etc.

Wise Winter Weather Tips for Your Family

When Old Man Winter comes, calling, homeowners need to keep everyone in the family – including your pets—safe. Follow these wise winter weather tips from the

Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)

and

TurfMutt

Bring Pets Inside:

Dogs and cats should be kept inside during cold weather months. Wipe their paws and bellies after they’ve been outside, and check for ice accumulation between paw pads. If you’re using a de-icing agent, remove that salt and other agents, too.

Pick up Debris:

Before it snows, remove debris and household items from your family yard. Doormats, hoses, toys and sticks can hide under a layer of snow that could harm your snow thrower, family or pets.

Clear a Path:

Your snow thrower is a convenient way to clear your driveway and sidewalks. It also gives your pet a path to their bathroom area.

Trim Trees Carefully:

When using a chainsaw, stand with your weight on both feet, adjust your stance so you are angled away from the blade and hold the chainsaw with both hands.

Ventilate Portable Generators:

If a winter storm knocks out your power, a generator can be a life-saver, if used properly. Place the generator outside and away from windows, doors and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

Watch Where You Throw

: Keep kids and pets away from the equipment, and never put your hand in the chute or auger to clear a blockage. Turn the machine off and always use a clean-out tool.

JEROME BY DAVE WOLFE

ARTIST Dave Wolfe

Vol. 6 No. 25 (Dec. 8, 2019)

Editor\’s Note: Each Sunday morning we post a weekly comic strip provided by cartoonist Dave Wolfe. He’s been distributing his comics in school since 3rd grade. (click image to enlarge)