Residents concerned after Southwest Philadelphia attack

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Residents of a close-knit Southwest Philadelphia community are calling on police to protect them after at least one disabled resident was targeted by violent thieves.

Amarilis Morales was one of dozens of residents of Inglis Gardens who attended a safety meeting Tuesday.

Morales who uses a wheelchair was stabbed last week by an assailant who jumped her and stole her wallet as she returned to the complex after grocery shopping.

So far no arrest has been made.

"I'm still sore. I'm going to move to be close to my family now," Morales said.

Many of Inglis Gardens' residents have disabilities.

The attack scared them, and some of their able-bodied neighbors from the Korman complex down the road.

"You all are our neighbors and we're your neighbors. We live right down the street in the next building and if it happens to you, it can happen to us," neighbor Maggie Powell said.

They voiced their concerns to 12th district police.

"Every single day you have to be aware of your surroundings, that's what safety is all about," Officer Joe Young said.

Residents say the area isn't well lit and showed Action News that trees block one light in the dumpster area and another, over a gate, doesn't work at all.

They also expressed concern about the speed of drivers and overgrown bushes along Mario Lanza Boulevard.

"It's kind of dark and it's very scary to get off the train," Antonio Cancel said.

Police and the Eastwick Bike Patrol said they'll be more of a presence in the area. An aide for City Councilman Kenyatta Johnson also promised to look into their complaints.

Police and the community town watch are planning an organizational meeting for next week and are hoping enough volunteers show up to make an impact on the crime in the area.