“Dear PoPville,
In my alley, there is a large single story building (not a house) with more than a dozen padlocked storage units. Over the past several months several units have been broken into, with items stolen and bulk trash (and property) left in the alley. This cycle repeats after several alley cleanings. The storage facility owner is (as best we can tell) non responsive- some theorize that he is moved away or unable to take care of the property. The facility remains unsecured and additional units are broken into every few weeks.
Neighbors are caught in a back and forth with the Department of Buildings, Department of Human Services, the councilwoman’s office, and MOCR. Inspectors go out, identify violations, but those don’t get put in the system. DOB says something is “in process” but not what. Alley cleanings clear things up every few weeks but that doesn’t address the storage units renters property being stolen or damaged—we know at least some are in active use and not abandoned. The community relations folks check in when we ask but they’re getting pushed off just like we are. We’d welcome any ideas of how to break out of this do loop!“