Anthony Murphy helps keep older adults safe and veterans sound
By Jay Nachman
Anythony Murphy, of Philadelphia’s Oak Lane neighborhood, leads the city’s Town Watch and Veterans Parade.
Oak Lane resident Anthony Murphy wears two hats.
By day, Murphy is executive director of Philadelphia’s Town Watch Integrated Services (TWIS). Outside of paid work, he helps to honor local veterans as founder and president of the Philadelphia Veterans Parade.
TWIS trains residents who want to participate in an Eyes and Ears Town Watch Group. The program teaches observation skills and helps residents to be more aware of their surroundings.
“We try to give you safety tips as we teach you about being eyes and ears,” Murphy says. “We also want seniors to be good neighbors. And we want a good neighbor next to a senior so that the senior isn’t just living in the community. They become a vibrant part of the community.” “Seniors have a great deal to offer. So, we also try to make sure we engage seniors in the community and get them involved. They are valuable; they bring a lot of wisdom. My philosophy is that a good neighbor is a blessing.”
In addition to helping communities organize to reduce crime and blight, TWIS supports the following programs:
• Safe Corridors protects students traveling to and from school
• Citizens Emergency Response Training teaches groups what to do in case of disaster
• Drug prevention
• Leadership
• Anti-bullying
• Neighborhood cleanups
TWIS sends trained staff into neighborhoods, based on need, to work with local leaders and host discussions on a range of community issues. Together, they identify community objectives and develop plans for change.
The overall responsibility of Town Watch groups is to observe, document and report. The groups work with police to assist in crime prevention and reporting. TWIS also participates in local Police District Advisory Commissions.
After graduating from Dobbins High School in North Philadelphia, Murphy enlisted in the Navy. The Vietnam-era veteran served as an electrician on two ships during the conflict — the Navy destroyer Leahy and the battleship New Jersey. After leaving the Navy, Murphy worked for a nonprofit community intervention program, then called Operation Town Watch, in the early 1990s. He also earned a bachelor’s degree from Antioch University.
Approximately 12 years ago, Murphy joined with other veterans to found the Philadelphia Veterans Parade. The parade serves as a tribute to military service. It honors veterans, upholds their legacy and brings the community closer together through a vibrant celebration in Philadelphia on Veterans Day.
“I think it’s important to salute the women and men who wrote a check in order for this nation to exist,” Murphy says. “And the check they wrote is that they put their life on the line to say, ‘I will give my life in order to secure our freedom.’ Many women and men paid that ultimate price. So, when you salute those who are still here, you are saluting those who have also transitioned because of war. And they wrote that check. Everyone didn’t write that check.”
Murphy noted that many veterans who come home with trauma and other mental challenges do not get the services they need. The parade and festival also bring attention to the issues veterans face. It is “symbolic of us saying, ‘Thank you’ to our service women and men.”
To learn more about Town Watch Integrated Services, whose mission is to make positive neighborhood change and create safe, supportive environments, call 215-686-1459 or visit www.phila.gov/departments (type “town watch” in the search bar). To learn more about the Philadelphia Veterans Parade and Festival, visit www.PhillyVeteransParade.org.
Jay Nachman is a freelance writer in Philadelphia who tells stories for a variety of clients.
