Abington Township Ward 6 commissioner Jeffrey Browne has invited the local community and Maria DellaMonica, a Republican candidate for Ward 6, to a “a cookout with the candidates” on Sunday, November 2 from 1:00pm – 4:00pm at the Little Math Library (located at the corner of Maple and Pine avenues).
From Browne’s post:
Good morning neighbors! Let’s remember that first and foremost, we are a community and we should focus on being neighbors. This week has been tumultuous for so many including people that are just trying to do their civic duty and support a candidate that they believe in. With that in mind, I invite Maria Dellamonica, her family and the North Hills and Ardsley community to meet me at the corner of Maple and Pine at the Little Math Library for a cookout with the candidates. Leave your politics at home and let’s break bread together. Be ready to meet a neighbor that you’ve never spoken to before and let’s come together as a community. Sunday, November 2nd, 1pm-4pm. There will be hot dogs and burgers, cider and hot chocolate! The birds are on a bye week so come on through!
The invitation follows a string of criminal offenses in the neighborhood involving construction screws intentionally thrown onto the driveways of residents. According to Dellamonica, some of the vehicles ended up with flat tires, and the actors are not done yet.
“The perpetrators have struck again. They did it on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, and Monday, and today as well. Sunday was all of Hamel Avenue. Monday was Maple Avenue. Today was Maple Avenue,” she told Glenside Local.
“I’m very upset. I think it’s horrible, it should not happen,” resident Kevin Shearn told 6ABC on Monday. “It’s just getting out of hand and we don’t need this, so whoever is doing it, please stop.” Another resident told 6ABC that he found a total of 25 screws on his property.
Dellamonica said that she would have loved to attend the cookout with her family, but Browne did not personally invite her.
“It’s nice that he organized this gathering but he also never asked for my availability. Had I known, I would have cleared my schedule, but I have plans on Sunday afternoon,” Dellamonica said, noting that she feels the Abington Township Police Department has done an “excellent job”.
“They’ve been checking on me and giving me updates. They continue to ask the public for help if anyone sees anything suspicious,” she said.
On Saturday, Browne posted the following:
Good evening neighbors, please see my video statement regarding the recent acts of political violence and intimidation in our community. These acts will not be tolerated and I hope whoever perpetrated these acts is found and brought to justice.
On Monday, the Abington Township Human Relations Committee posted the following:
The Abington Township Human Relations Commission condemns any actions that seek to intimidate or harm residents based on their political beliefs or expressions. The recent reports of screws being placed in the driveways of residents displaying political signs are deeply concerning and unacceptable.
Regardless of political affiliation, every member of our community deserves to feel safe expressing their views without fear of retaliation or harassment. Acts that target individuals for their beliefs undermine the democratic process and erode the sense of trust that holds our township together.
We urge all residents to respond to these events with empathy, restraint, and respect — online and in person. Let us reject divisive behavior and reaffirm our shared commitment to civility, dialogue, and understanding.
Anyone with information regarding the incidents or who may be victims themselves should contact Detective Dan Bullock at 267-536-1107 or dbullock@AbingtonPA.gov.
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Screengrab: 6ABC