by KYW's Mike Dunn

Philadelphia's sheriff wants a six-month halt on foreclosure sales even though the number of foreclosures in the city is actually down.

Sheriff John Green, at the urging of City Council members, has halted any foreclosure sales for April, and will ask a court for permission to have a six-month moratorium on such sales.  

Connie Little is a top aide to the sheriff:

"We're trying to do what's in the best interest of the people who are actually in crisis."

But Little admitted that the number of foreclosures that would prompt sheriff's sales in the next few months is actually lower than the same period last year. 

Councilwoman Marion Tasco, who had urged Green to impose the moratorium, says even one foreclosure is too many:

"And the financial impact to them and to the city is something we need to care about."

The request for the moratorium goes to the President Judge of Common Pleas Court, Darnell Jones.