SEE IT. HEAR IT. REPORT IT.

At my job, we have a workplace safety initiative to mitigate safety incidents and reduce risks to employees. It’s called, "See It. Hear It. Report It."  The idea behind this initiative is simple: If you witness something unsafe – a hazard, broken equipment, or a situation that could injure someone or damage property – you report it immediately so that the problem can be addressed before any harm occurs. 

We need to apply this same principle to our fight to Save The Wissahickon Creek. Here's Why: 

Yesterday, I decided to take a late walk "back the crick." From the time that I left my house at three o’clock until the time that I returned, I was gone a little less than two hours. 

I didn’t go looking for conflict. I went to assess the situation – to see whether garbage still remained along the Forbidden Drive creekbed near the Devil’s Pool area, since I am still volunteering with the FOW for miscellaneous clean-ups, and often pick up trash on my days off during my personal hikes. 

Most of the hike was relaxing. It was relatively quiet. I could hear birds, the water, the wind.  A few scattered cyclists, runners, and couples out for a peaceful late-afternoon walk passed by.  This is what the atmosphere in Wissahickon Valley Park should feel like: calm, quiet, peaceful. 

I was pleased to see police stationed at Glen Fern, in an effort to deter and discourage would-be partiers from entering the Devil’s Pool area. I went out onto the dam and snapped a few photos. A young couple joined temporarily, taking pictures of their own. I thought about how beautifully serene the area was, and how I was looking forward to another positive update on the state of the Wissahickon Creek - despite the garbage I located strewn about the creekbeds. 

But on my return trip, the situation turned sour. 

Less than a mile away, I came across a small group of about a dozen people having a party along the Creek, on the Orange Trail -  far enough from Glen Fern to avoid being seen by Police or Rangers. They were swimming in the water, with coolers and bags visibly out.  They hadn’t been there when I passed the area earlier on my way to the Devil’s Pool. But by 4:45 p.m., a group was already swimming in the water - and more people were arriving to join them. 

While I didn’t stay long enough to see if they had brought bags of charcoal or portable barbeque grills, the first two things were bad enough.  That’s probably going to turn into more litter which, with the coming rain, will wash down the hill and into the water ; and due to the efforts of the Rangers, the PPD, the recent news coverage, and the fact that the crackdown is all over TikTok & Facebook, I do not believe that this group was unaware that swimming was prohibited.  

Evern worse, as I made my way down Forbidden Drive, several smaller groups - three to five people each - were walking past me, some carrying beach towels, or already dressed in swimwear. They were heading toward one of the old ranger posts by the bridge, where another group had already gathered – directly across the Creek from where others were already swimming.  

I was irritated. I debated what to do. 
Should I walk back and tell them that swimming is prohibited? 
Should I yell out across the creek to the group splashing in the water? 
Or should I keep my mouth shut as I do when I am volunteering, so I don’t create a conflict or endanger volunteers who are not law enforcement and are not trained in de-escalation or self-defense? 

The thoughts ran through my mind.

Even though I am physically fit, fearless, and capable of adequately defending myself if a situation escalated, did I want to risk it? Was it worth my time today?  I had only gone for a short walk to the Wissahickon to assess how much trash was still present so I could plan upcoming clean-ups on my days off. I wasn’t there to get into arguments with people or start a fight. I decided that it was in everyone’s best interest - including my own – to say nothing and head home. 

Then I heard it : a loud female voice yelling, “You have to cross the bridge if you want to swim!” 

My blood boiled.  In my mind there is no way that these individuals are unaware that swimming is prohibited or that police and rangers have been actively removing people from the Creek. 
Word travels fast, especially on the street, and with the recent crackdown all over social media it’s impossible to believe that they didn’t know that law enforcement was in the area. 

I resisted the temptation to turn around and tell everyone on both sides of the creek to take their towels, coolers, radios, and trash, and go home, because swimming is explicitly prohibited anywhere in Wissahickon Valley Park. Miraculously, my ADHD brain managed to rein in the impulse.  I snapped a few photos of the area for documentation, dialed 3-1-1, and proceeded to head home.

While I cannot express how truly grateful I am to Parks & Rec, and the Philadelphia Police Department – all of whom have gone above and beyond these past two weeks despite limited manpower and having to make major personnel shifts - I am disappointed that there are still groups of individuals whose lack of respect for rules and the law continues to test the limits. It is as if they are daring the Police or Park Rangers to catch them and fine them. They sneak into areas where they know enforcement is limited, choosing spots that are difficult for Rangers and Police to reach, and continue engaging in unlawful swimming and environmentally destructive behavior. 

While we do not assume that every individual is intentionally or egregiously disregarding the rules, the law, and those who enforce it –  some people may genuinely not know that swimming anywhere in the Wissahickon Creek is prohibited and subject to fines, especially when they see others doing it or posting videos - there are still certain individuals who absolutely do know. 
Some have even seen this petition online and intentionally trek to the Wissahickon to swim in flagrant defiance, as if to say, “Look at me, I’m still swimming. There’s nothing you can do about it.” 

These are the ones with the mentality of "you can't stop us all" or "park rangers and police can't be everywhere” and they are blatantly testing the limits of the law, almost daring Rangers and Officers to confront them. 

While it’s true that Rangers and Police cannot be everywhere at once, the community can be vigilant. It is imperative that we stand in solidarity on this issue.  

We have asked a great deal of the City. The goals outlined in our petition will take time, budget adjustments, and an increase in personnel to fully implement. We must be patient and appreciative of the progress made thus far, and of the efforts of Parks & Rec and the PPD have already taken to curb unlawful behavior along the Wissahickon Creek. 

Summer is drawing to a close, so there are only a few weeks left until the weather becomes too chilly to swim.  But in the meantime, we – the community – can help. If we "See It, Hear It, Report It" – noting the day of the week, time of day, general location, and approximate group size - we can assist Parks & Rec and the PPD in determining where Park Rangers and Officers are most needed. 

We want to be vigilant, but we do not want this to turn into a “witch hunt” in which people begin to be targeted. Reporting the incidents is necessary, however, so that Parks & Rec and the PPD understand that we are not overreacting - but that this remains a chronic problem despite their current efforts. 

The reason for this petition is simple : the unlawful swim parties have directly contributed to the ongoing destruction of the Wissahickon Creek. They have exponentially increased the amount of trash left behind, adding to pollution and degrading the health of the Creek. The data supports this.  We cannot allow even one person - or small group – to repeatedly break the rules without consequence. We are petitioning for a permanent solution, so that next spring and summer, we are not fighting the same problems that we have been battling for years. 

We must stand in solidarity as a community and be vigilant.

If you witness swimming, barbequing, loud music, or significant trash accumulation: See It. Hear It. Report it. 

• Direct Park Rangers & Non-Emergency Contacts
• - Philadelphia Park Rangers (Non-Emergency) (215) 685 - 2172
• City Of Philadelphia (Non-Emergency / Park Issues) 
  - Phone (Local) Dial 3-1-1
  - Phone (Outside Philly) (215) 686 – 8686
  - Online Service Requests: Philly311WebPortal
• Park Stewardship & Trail Issue Reporting 
  - Friends of the Wissahickon (Wissahickon-Specific Trail Damage/Litter/Etc)
  - Text WISS to (267) 966 – 2207
• - Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (Admin or General Office) 
  - General Inquiries Phone : (215) 683 -3600.
  - General Email :  parksandrecreation@phila.gov
• Direct Active Violation PPD non-emergency numbers
  - (215) 686 -3100
• 5th District PPD (215) 686 – 3050
  14th District PPD (215) 686 – 3140.

Please do not call 9-1-1 unless you witness an emergency such as a drowning, a fire, or any immediate threat to life or safety. This line must remain open for true emergencies. 

• What to Include When Reporting
  - Day of the week
  - Time of day
  - General Location or closest landmark
  - Approximate group size.

Photographs are extremely helpful when sending an e-mail or submitting a report.  

There is also a Facebook page dedicated to this petition where individuals may post anonymously if they are not comfortable using their own name. Photos and information can be shared there as well. 

We cannot permit even a single individual or small group to repeatedly violate park rules without consequence. Doing so undermines the work of Parks & Rec, the PPD, and every community member who has stepped up to protect the Wissahickon Creek. We refuse to enter another spring or summer battling the same chronic issues – issues that have directly contributed the ongoing destruction of the Creek and robbed Philadelphia residents of the peace, safety, and quiet enjoyment the Wissahickon is meant to provide. 

The unlawful swim parties and the lawless actions they bring must end now. No more. Never again. Period. 

SEE IT. HEAR IT. REPORT IT. 

Photo: The section of the Creek where the unlawful swimming occurred, off in the distance. Individuals are intentionally not visible to prevent any targeting or assumptions.  A woman who had biked down to the Creek stood on a rock just downstream from the party, enjoying the view. This petition is about addressing and stopping the environmentally harmful behavior and protecting the Wissahickon Creek - not about singling out, shaming, or blaming specific people.