DC Government

Dear PoPville – Dumpster Fine

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

“Dear PoPville,

Today I received an email from my landlord with a forwarded message from an apartment complex that shares the alley. Last week I threw away an oddly shaped box in the apartment’s dumpster after trying to fit it in my trashcan. Apparently, the building manager took my name and address off of the box and filed a complaint with the city. The building manager sent an email to my landlord that basically said I should expect a $500 fine. Have any other readers had experiences like this? Is disputing the fine an option? Any advice? I understand paying a fine for using a dumpster that isn’t mine, but $500 seems pretty steep for one box! Thank you.”

Dear PoPville – Electronics recycling?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user pablo.raw

“Dear PoPville,

Do you or any of your readers know where old electronics can be dropped off in DC for recycling.”

Anyone know if the Ft. Totten transfer station takes electronics? Are there any charities around town that take old electronics?

The 5pm Post – Get Your Swimming in, DPR announces Dates for end of Season

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From a press release:

The DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) prepares to bring the District’s outdoor swim season to a close. Today, DPR released the pool closing schedule for its 22 outdoor pools and children’s pools as well as the indoor pool maintenance schedule. A number of pools will be open through September 5, 2011. A complete schedule is provided below. The East Potomac Pool, which is heated, will remain open through October 2, 2011. DPR’s Outdoor Children’s Pools close Sunday, August 21, 2011 with the exception of Barry Farms which will close on Friday August 19, 2011. All DPR Spray Parks will close on Labor Day, September 5, 2011.

DPR’s indoor pools and aquatic centers operate year-round, but will undergo scheduled maintenance to deep clean the pool and facility. The detailed maintenance schedule is provided below. For a complete list of pool locations and hours visit the DPR website at DPR.DC.GOV or contact the DPR Aquatics Office at (202) 671-1289.

Full schedule of closures after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoPville – Who is in Charge of Fixing This?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Can you help me? I phoned 311 about this fire hydrant on my street and was transfered to water and sewerage (or something like that) and reported that someone had run over this fire hydrant and no water was coming out of it-fine, they’d someone out. But as of 530pm today they hadn’t dealt with this issue.

Any recommendations, or perhaps asking your readers to call and ask the city to take action? Also… Shouldn’t there water gushing out of this hydrant?

The hydrant us on Wyoming avenue, NW, between 18th and 19th Street. In Adams Morgan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.”

Well this is disturbing. If 311 didn’t work – who do you think the reader should call? His Council member? DC Water? The Fire Department.

While I’ve never seen a sight like the one above before, unfortunately, the one below is not terribly uncommon:

New Capital Bikeshare Stations Announced

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr. T in DC

From DDOT:

The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) today announced the locations for 32 new Capital Bikeshare stations to be installed in the fall of 2011. It will be the first major expansion of the system in the District since Capital Bikeshare launched last September. Following weeks of planning and extensive community input, DDOT will install the new stations and expand the size of selected existing stations to better meet demand, while also adding 265 additional bicycles to the system. Additionally, DDOT will install the already planned Capital Bikeshare stations at 6th and H Street, NE and Foggy Bottom Metro.

List of NEW Stations:

· 3rd Street and G Street, SE

· 4th Street and E Street, SW

· 5th Street SE between Alabama and Martin Luther King Avenue, SE

· 6th Street and Florida, NE

· 7th Street and Maryland Avenue, NE

· 7th Street and R Street, NW

· 11th Street and H Street, NE

· 16th Street and Euclid Street, NW

· 17th Street and Rhode Island Ave, NW

· 18th Street and Pennsylvania Ave, NW

· 19th Street and New Hampshire Avenue, NW (Dupont South)

· 38th Street, SE at Pennsylvania Ave – Fairfax Village (INSTALLED TODAY)

· 3000 Connecticut. NW – National Zoo

· 4500 Benning Road, NE (Benning Road Metro Station)

· Calvert Street and 39th Street, NW (Stoddert Recreation Center)

· Columbia Road and Belmont Road, NW
· Alabama Avenue at 13th Street, SE – Congress Heights Metro

· Florida Avenue and California Street, NW

· Gallaudet University – 1st Street and Michigan, NW

· Georgia Avenue and Columbia Road, NW

· Good Hope Road and Minnesota Avenue, SE

· M Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

· Maryland Avenue and Independence Avenue, SW (at 6th Street)

· Massachusetts Avenue and 15th Street, SE

· New Jersey Avenue and D Street, SE

· Rhode Island Avenue and 1st Street, NW

· Anacostia Avenue at Benning Road, NE – River Terrace

· Thomas Circle at 14th Street, NW

· Tingey Street and 3rd Street, SE (Yards Park )

· Upshur Street and 14th Street, NW

· Upshur Street and Georgia Avenue, NW

· W Street and Martin Luther King Avenue, SE

Stations to be expanded after the jump. (more…)

Caribbean Carnival Community Meeting Today, July 27th at 6pm

By Prince Of Petworth

Thanks to all the readers who forwarded this email:

Caribbean Carnival, a cultural festival that has been happening annually for 19 years, was enjoyed by many thousands this year, but was also the subject of much debate. The shortened route, financial issues, and aggressive police tactics sent mixed messages to Carnival organizers and the community. Several fights that occurred raised safety concerns from the community. Councilmember Graham, Councilmember Bowser, the MPD and the Mayor’s office have publicly expressed their desire to see the Carnival continue and the full route restored but there are serious issues that must be overcome.

The Georgia Avenue Community Development Task Force has invited Councilmember Jim Graham (on travel but sending a representative), Councilmember Bowser (unconfirmed), MPD Chief Lanier (confirmed), and DC Caribbean Carnival Director Loughton Sargeant (confirmed) to our next meeting on Wednesday July 27th at 6:00pm at the G II Restaurant and Lounge at 2632 Georgia Avenue (corner of Georgia and Fairmont) to discuss the issues that occurred at this event and ways the community can be more involved in its planning and execution.

For background on some of the issues regarding this year’s Carnival, you can listen to a Town Hall meeting on the Carnival conducted Saturday July 16th broadcast live on WPFW. The archived show can be heard by going here and scrolling down to “Caribbeana” broadcast on Saturday, July 16, 2011 7:00 pm. The Town Hall was hosted by WPFW’s Gloria Minott, with panelists Paul Quander, Deputy Mayor of Public Safety and Justice, Councilmember Bowser, Councilmember Graham, MPD Assistant Chief Lamar Green, Claude Barrington of the DC Caribbean Carnival and others.


Photo by PoPville Flickr user yostinator

Dear PoP – Should Police Be Giving Jaywalking Tickets or Focus on more Serious Crimes?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Given recent discussions about crime, police, city life, etc. I was particularly impressed by the use of police resources I observed yesterday around 5:45 pm at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue and K Street. There were two DC cops standing in the median ready to ticket jaywalkers. A picture is attached. Is jaywalking really that big of a problem?”

While I think two police officers might be excessive, I actually don’t have a problem with one officer giving jaywalking tickets. This intersection can actually be rather dangerous and pedestrians do occasionally get hit and injured by cars (sometimes car at fault, sometimes pedestrian at fault.) Even though I admit I jaywalk from time to time and would be pissed if I got a ticket – in this case I think the officers are doing the right thing. If there was serious violent crime taking place in this police district I might feel differently.

Dear PoPville: Ticketing Bicylists – Safety Measure or Fundraiser?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user [F]oxymoron

A reader shares an email sent to CM Jim Graham:

This year, I decided to take advantage of the Capital Bikeshare. I am so pleased that DC has (or had) begun to make this city more walk-able and bike-able. Since I am a new biker, I am a very conscientious rider (and probably much slower than the average bicyclist). Well needless to say the other day I got pulled over by two police who set a “bicyclist trap”. They literally were pulling over bikes for rolling stops at a stop sign.

Ok, so while I agree we need to obey the rules of the road too, I have to say this “trap” felt particularly like the cops were just trying to raise revenue rather than raise awareness. I also am a bit concerned that we can afford to have two police officers stand out and trap bikes while we have a huge gang and murder problem going on in our Ward. I especially thought it was offensive given that it was just a couple days after the craziness that happened at the Caribbean Fest.

Again, I don’t make excuses for not following the rules of the road….I just question the use of our (what seems like scarce) police to actually set a trap for bikes. I think if we are trying to raise awareness for bicycle safety there are much better ways to do that.

The reader writes that the incident took place a couple of weeks ago at 8:05am around 14th and U St, NW.

Anyone else get a ticket on their bike for rolling through a stop sign?

Do you think this is a safety measure or a way to raise revenue?

Dear PoP – who fixes unmarked manhole covers?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

Attached picture is at 18th and Monroe St, NW in Mount Pleasant. Who replaces unmarked manhole covers? This is in the middle of the street and could go at any second … and then swallow up a car, motorcycle, bike … jogger.”

My guess is that this is a Pepco issue. I have alerted CM Graham’s office but should anyone encounter a situation like this in the future – def. call 311.

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