One of the men arrested in connection with a string of summer thefts has been identified as an employee of the local organization responsible for helping clean the neighborhood and reduce crime.
Crew Warrenton, who was arrested last week, reportedly has a lengthy criminal record and several convictions. Penn Police officials say they have tied him to at least three of the summer's burglaries.
The arrest raises questions about the hiring practices of the University City District, which had not performed criminal background checks on its maintenance employees, which are hired by a subcontractor.
Penn Police Patrol Captain Joseph Fischer said that Warrenton was caught Aug. 28 after witnesses near the intersection of 41st Street and Baltimore Avenue saw him entering a residence and became suspicious. At the time, he was on duty and wearing his yellow UCD maintenance uniform.
KYW news reported yesterday that Warrenton has amassed more than 20 arrests and 12 convictions and uses up to 23 different aliases.
The broadcast reported that Warrenton was once sentenced to five to 20 years in prison for burglary.
UCD spokeswoman Lori Klein Brennan released a short statement yesterday, defending the subcontractor OneSource.
"During the previous eight years of operations and with no prior criminal incidents," the statement said, "OneSource has employed persons with less than stellar backgrounds who have proven to be excellent employees."
Nonetheless, the statement said that all new maintenance employees will be screened from this point forward. Those with felony convictions will be disqualified.
Brennan could not be reached for comment as to whether current maintenance employees would be subject to the new policy.
The main duties of UCD maintenance personnel consist of sweeping sidewalks and removing graffiti, as well as other tasks aimed at keeping the University City area attractive to businesses and residents.
Brennan's statement noted that all University City District "safety ambassadors" -- who are hired by subcontractor AlliedBarton Security -- are screened and rejected if they have a felony conviction or a conviction for certain lesser crimes.
UCD's 35 safety ambassadors -- uniformed in blue and gold -- are unarmed officers equipped with two-way radios who patrol the streets of University City on foot and on bicycles every day from 8 a.m. to 3 a.m.
Their purpose is to serve as a highly visible deterrent to crime, provide directions and call for help in emergency situations.
UCD was established in 1997 to improve the quality of life of the 2.2-square-mile area of West Philadelphia.
An independent, nonprofit organization, it aims to maintain a clean and safe environment.
The organization is managed by a board of 25 members representing University City's prominent institutions -- including Penn as a main sponsor -- as well as representatives of the business and residential communities.
