PHA Executive Carl Greene (center) hopes the increased reward
will also provide increased incentive for someone with information
on the murder of Rodney Barnes to come forward.
Mark Durkalec (left) of the Carpenters Union and John Apeldorn
(right) of the Citizens Crime Commission stand behind Greene at the
news conference.
The Philadelphia Housing Authority, Wachovia Bank, Carpenters
Union, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Hunter
Roberts Construction Company and Citizens Crime Commission
announced today a substantial increase in the reward offered for
information leading to an arrest and conviction in the murder of
PHA employee Rodney Barnes. The reward has jumped from $10,000 to
$53,000.
Mr. Barnes, 46, was shot in the back of the head Saturday
afternoon, July 25, in the 2300 block of Norris Street while
working on a PHA weatherization and maintenance crew at Raymond
Rosen Manor in North Philadelphia. He died on August 5.
PHA Executive Carl Greene hopes the increased reward will also
provide increased incentive for someone with information to contact
the Citizens Crime Commission.
"To date, there has been no response to either the reward for
information or to the family's call for conscience. At the same
time, there has been an outpouring of generosity among our
corporate and labor partners. As a result, we are able to announce
today that the reward fund for information leading to an arrest and
conviction in this case has grown to $53,000. We are hopeful that
someone in the Rosen community who saw the crime occur and will
come forward," Greene said.
John Dougherty, business manager for IBEW Local 98 said that his
union has often played a role in similar reward funds for members
of the Philadelphia Police Department, but that it is a shocking
development to have this type of violent crime touch the building
trades community.
"Police officers and firefighters go to work each day knowing
they may be at risk, but to have this type of crime touch the
construction industry is shocking. We want to send the message that
we must be able to do our work in safety and that the person who
committed this murder must be taken off the streets," Dougherty
said.
Dan Dirscherl, Senior Vice President & General Manager for
Hunter-Roberts Construction Group said his company felt compelled
to contribute to the reward fund.
"We have 90 people working in the field on PHA projects right
now. We want to send a clear message to them that we want the
person who committed this crime found and removed from the street,"
Dirscherl said.
Rodney Barnes was a member of the Carpenters Union since 1998
and had begun work as a member of PHA's Maintenance WAVE
(weatherization and value enhancement) crew this spring.
Funeral services for Mr. Barnes will take place this
weekend.
Anyone with any information about the shooting is encouraged to
call 215-546-TIPS (8477). Their identity will be confidential.