In the late 1950s George Logan became the first African American patrolman of the 14th Police District, which includes central Germantown. He encountered considerable racism from fellow officers, who wouldn’t shake his hand and who assigned him to walk his beat at night in obscure places with no sidewalks or street lights, like the west end of Allens Lane. Since he was raising a family and lived in Penn-Knox, George looked around at schools and discovered Greene Street, which he describes as “having an enrollment like the United Nations.” George sent his children, Bruce (Class of 1972) and Marcia (Class of 1976),  to GSFS and has stayed in touch with us ever since. He now resides in North Carolina.

In the late 1970s Howard Patton became the first African American captain of the 14th District and then the first head of security for SEPTA. His granddaughter Maya Patton ’10 attended GSFS, and when Ed Marshall learned this, he set about connecting these trailblazers with the current leadership of the 14th District. Last Friday, Ed organized a lunch for George, Howard, Captain Sekou Kinebrew of the 14th District, and Eric McLaurin, his aide. They shared many stories, discussed the challenges of police work, and marveled at how Greene Street creates connections and brings people together. It was a proud moment for our school!