A Critical Mission:
Philadelphia Sheriff John Green Is Positioning His Office
To Better Serve Local Businesses and Residents    

Philadelphia, Pa. - As mortgage foreclosures began a sharp and prolonged rise following the tragic events of Sept. 11, many of the nation’s sheriffs simply added on a second auction to handle all the sales. 

Philadelphia County Sheriff John Green, however, took a different approach. He searched for ways that mortgage companies, attorneys and homeowners could work together to save local homes. 

The sheriff’s outreach campaigns, coupled with other foreclosure prevention efforts, have served the interests of homeowners and businesses. In 2005, sheriff’s sales in Philadelphia fell 22.3 percent, as nearly 4,900 of those in foreclosure managed to avoid a sheriff’s auction. 

Over the last three years, the Office of the Philadelphia Sheriff has strengthened its financial management and successfully responded to recommendations made by city and state auditors; launched a Website to help people determine if they are due unclaimed funds from a sheriff’s auction; and conducted regular Refuse to Be A Victim workshops to help residents avoid crime.

‘”Throughout my career in public service, I have always tried to identify ways to help and assist the people of Philadelphia,” Sheriff Green said. “My staff and I engaged in an honest and open assessment of our organizational strengths so that we might expand our capacity to handle these increasingly complex challenges. As a result, we feel we are now better positioned to serve the diverse needs of this city.” 

Changes in the handling of sheriff’s sales funds were among the significant improvements. The length of time required to close on property at sheriff’s sales was shortened, giving lenders and homeowners quicker access to proceeds. 

“For the first time, funds paid out annually by my office surpassed the $100 million mark in 2005, setting a record that is being driven by an aggressive effort to revamp the office’s fiscal operations,’” Sheriff Green said. “Disbursements have risen steadily as my staff has managed to reduce the time required to settle properties sold at Sheriff’s sale. “ 

Among the other recent accomplishments: 

• Hired more deputies to work in the Criminal Justice Center and enhance security for the judges, attorneys, witnesses and jurors involved in high-profile and high-risk trials.
   

• In 2006, satisfied the state’s audit of unclaimed funds by making payments of $1.7 million to the City of Philadelphia and $1.2 million to the state Treasury in 2006.
   

• The Sheriff’s Office collected $1.5 million in sales commission for Philadelphia’s coffers. That figure topped $3.5 million in 2004 and then fell to $3.3 million in 2005 as foreclosure sales declined.
   

• City Councilman Joseph C. Vignola came on board as Sheriff Green’s ethics watchdog.  Vignola represented the first Councilmanic District in South Philadelphia and has been a voice for accountability and ethics throughout his career. He developed an ethics manual for staff and assisted with the development of a new training program.
   

• Launched a consumer education campaign to alert residents to local mortgage and housing scams, and help them to understand their rights as consumers.
   

• Implemented unprecedented local outreach efforts to assist homeowners in foreclosure. As homes are posted for sheriff’s sales, the sheriff’s office delivers a pamphlet explaining the steps homeowners must take in order to save their homes from auction. In addition, Sheriff Green convinced local newspapers to provide free space for a public service campaign.
   

• In 2005, 343 people attended the free hour-long workshops that explain how the sheriff’s sale process.  The sessions include first-time home buyers, successful real estate investors, and community and civic groups. More of the new participants attending sheriff’s sales seek to stabilize or redevelop Philadelphia’s neighborhoods.