Message from Sheriff John D. Green

John Green

Since my election in 1987, I have continually searched for innovative ways to serve and protect the people of Philadelphia.

My administration has been marked with significant improvements in courtroom security, service delivery and fiscal management. As a member of the Mayor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Commission, I was appointed convening Co-Chair of the Justice Reform Security and Transportation Committees. I am also a member of the Pennsylvania Judicial Board and the National Sheriff's Association.

The Sheriff's Office is not content to wait for constituents to bring issues to us; frequently, we take our staff and operations into the community so we may listen to their ideas and learn.

To do our jobs well, we need to understand the individuals within our community – their problems, fears, and challenges. My door is always open to constituents, and my staff is continually accepting new challenges, as new threats and issues emerge.

Our community outreach efforts include:

  • - Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention Town Hall Meetings: In February 2005, we held a series of forums to identify ways my office could protect the rights of homeowners in foreclosure; prevent real-estate related fraud, and explain loss mitigation to anxious and scared homeowners. These meetings concluded a two-year campaign to reduce mortgage foreclosures through education, credit counseling, and the Save Our Homes Initiative. As a direct result of these meetings, my staff now leaves behind survival kits as homes are posted for Sheriff's Sale. These colorful, easy to understand brochures include a list of local assistance agencies as well as a phone number for free mortgage or credit counseling.
  • - The Sheriff's Sunday Office Program: When this program was underway, we met the third and fourth Sunday of each month with faith-based groups following services to listen to their concerns and questions regarding the Sheriff's Operations.
  • - Sheriff's Junior Posse Program: This program has brought anti-drug messages and hope to more than 500,000 Philadelphia school-aged children.
  • - HOPE (Home ownership through Participation and Education): HOPE has opened the Sheriff's Sale process to hundreds of first-time home buyers. My efforts contributed to the final passage of the Financial Hope legislation that will offer financial assistance to first-time homebuyers who purchase properties at Sheriff's Sale.
  • - Sheriff’s Sale Seminars: These free hour-long workshops are open to the public. The real estate staff reviews the rules and procedures governing sheriff's sales, and explains where potential buyers can go to find additional information on listed properties. We have continued our efforts to discourage drug dealers and speculators from purchasing properties at sheriff's auction, and expanded access to sales by advertising in community and ethnic newspapers.
  • - Homefront Security: Shortly after military action began following the tragic events of 9/11, my office launched a media campaign to publicize the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, which seeks to safeguard the properties and financial rights of troops stationed overseas.
  • - Crime Prevention: The Training Unit conducts “Refuse to Be a Victim” seminars for community groups and organizations. These free seminars offer crime prevention techniques and practical strategies for keeping neighborhoods safe and secure.

Operational Initiatives:

  • - Launched an investment program that netted the City of Philadelphia more than $2.5 million for the first time in the history of the Sheriff's Office.
  • - Reactivated the Sheriff's Warrant Unit, which has reduced the backlog of domestic abuses by making the apprehension of domestic abuse suspects a priority. In the past, we have focused attention to the issue of domestic intimidation by rounding up suspects on Valentine's Day.
  • - Implemented the Sheriff's Special Tactical Unit to ensure public safety in courtrooms and protect witnesses. Members of the Tactical Unit continuously undergo training to master the latest law enforcement techniques. The unit was formed to cope with the increasing number of cases involving violent crimes and organized drug activities. These cases put witnesses, court officers and deputies at greater risks.

* Established the Mortgage Foreclosure Response Team to review complaints from homeowners in foreclosure who feel they are victims of fraud or scams. We also work with the housing counselors who assist homeowners with mortgage workouts. In some cases, our staff has been able to get a postponement so homeowners can sell or refinance their properties. We also have helped constituents to direct complaints of illegal activities to the appropriate federal and state enforcement agencies.

In these dangerous times, sheriffs do more than transport prisoners, execute court orders, and protect courtrooms. Increasingly, we are being asked to take on the role of providing residents with information about personal security, neighborhood security and financial security.