“At a (sensitive) wits end”

“Dear PoPville,

Before I begin, I do want to say that dealing with someone living with a mental illness is difficult and we all must be sensitive, accommodating, and helpful to them as they battle.

I live in an apartment building in DC. Over the past couple of years, residents have been living with an individual who has had extended periods of mental difficulties. While we all need to be gracious and empathetic, I think you will agree that these periods have included things that have gone too far. For example, the individual:

(1) On four (4) separate occasions, threw multiple large objects out his window 5 floors below to the resident courtyard where residents walk to access their apartments.

(2) leaves VERY VERY threatening notes on people’s doors. I do not want to write specifics out of respect to the victims but take my word they were terrifying and delusional.

(3) Exposes himself in the window while looking down at residents

(4) Steals objects from residents and the apartment.

(5) Shrieks and yells bomb threats

(6) Breaks glass in the stairwell

There are other stories, but you get the point.

We have contacted the police; they say they cannot do anything. And, of course, we have contacted the management company. They claim the individual is protected by DC Laws and cannot be evicted. Some of us are skeptical of this claim…he is destroying the apartment and eventually will cause harm to a resident…how can they NOT evict him (and do they just like the steady rent check).

Is the management company telling the truth re protected by DC laws?

What can we do?”

Ed. Note: Before one reflexively starts blaming particular politicians please try to address the situation at hand – is there anything that can be done regarding this situation, at least getting social services to regularly visit this individual? Once that is addressed you may expound upon the faults of certain council members.