DC Government

Sensing the Frustration From Both Sides – Plus Requesting Reader Questions for the Mayoral Candidates?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dullshick

On the MPD-4D listserv a resident writes about a situation at 7th and Kennedy Streets, NW:

“I wanted to let you know that this activity is only getting worse. 7 people basically sitting on my lawn distributing money at the end of a hard day’s work dealing all around the street and neighborhood.

I call 911, but all the police ever really do is drive my them slowly. These people aren’t intimidated by that and they wont’ move. Basically the front of my house is a drug dealer office from about 7:30 pm to well past midnight – unless MPD cars are literally parked on the street. I can’t do anything about this without risking the safety of myself or my family.

Getting pretty frustrated.”

After a few more messages back and forth from residents and Captain Anderson, Capt. Anderson writes:

“We do have a system that also documents by officers run log for assignments. So our patrol officers are out of the scout car walking as well, from time to time during their tour in this area. This is along with the assigned foot patrol officers. So every level is performing policing as was noted by some citizens. They see the officers and acknowledge that we are locking lots of these guys back out there. So let’s be clear we are out with a presence and lock up perpetrators of crimes. The cat and mouse game is what I’m told frustrates citizens NOT the lack of policing at any level.

Last, I will ensure this presence continues after 730pm . Thanks to all who commented.”

I think this is a great example of how difficult this problem is in many of our neighborhoods. While I am a huge supporter of more visible foot patrols by MPD, it does make me realize that it looks like policing alone will not solve this problem. I feel bad for the resident and the Captain. You can’t blame either of them for feeling frustrated.

At the suggestion of a reader I have the opportunity to gather some reader submitted questions to pose to the mayoral candidates (via email) – current Council Chairman Vince Gray and current Mayor Adrian Fenty. So if you’d like to know what the candidates would recommend to resolve this situation or any other questions please place them in the comments and I will select five to be answered by the candidates.

Dear PoP – My DC tax refund is missing!

By Prince Of Petworth


Don’t Jump: Photo from PoPville flickr user Columbia Heights Climber

“Dear PoP,

I’m wondering if you’ve heard from any other readers missing their DC income tax refunds. Mine is totally missing, and I’ve had one hell of a time (read: impossible) reaching a human about it to let me know what’s up. The short story is this: I filed my taxes in March. In April, I got a letter from the DC Office of Tax & Revenue asking for written confirmation from my employer verifying that they have a DC tax withholding account, or something like that. My employer sent that letter immediately. Since then, I’ve tried several times to contact the OTR to check the status of my refund, but it’s been a nightmare maze of automated phone menus, unanswered emails, and being put on hold indefinitely. I have yet to get any kind of answer about what’s going on. It’s gotten to the point of serious frustration and I’m at my wit’s end about where to go from here, or what kind of recourse I have. I don’t mind paying my taxes, but I do mind when the DC government doesn’t give me back what I’m owed– it’ll be around a grand, if I ever see it.

Can you ask your readers for advice or similar experiences?”

Anyone still missing their refund as well?

Dear PoP – “At large Council Member” Illegally Parks for over an Hour

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

This is that corner of Holmead and Park Road, NW where you have to do a U-turn to get in to the Giant parking lot (in Columbia Heights). Illegal parkers at this location really irritate me, as they destroy visibility and impede travel.

Check out the plate on this gem. “At large Council Member” It was there for at least an hour as I shopped. Note the proximity to the stop sign, the fire hydrant and the clearly marked “no parking” sign. Why in all get out couldn’t he just park in the garage?!”

So which At Large Council Member drives an H3? Secondly, in the age of camera phones and the internet how can they possibly think this will not get out.  So I am publishing these photos at 10:30am – how long until we get an apology?  And if they were not ticketed I’d like them to donate the cost of a parking ticket to a Columbia Heights charity of their choice – sound fair?

WTOP Reports: “District resident ordered to remove driveway”

By Prince Of Petworth


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Since we frequently judge curb cuts I thought this story would be of interest. WTOP’s Mark Segraves reports:

“A homeowner in Northwest D.C. is being ordered to remove his driveway that’s been in front of his house for nearly three years. The reason: the homeowner’s handicapped mother has died.”

The article discusses whether or not DDOT’s letter was rude but I think the more interesting part of the story is that the city can make you remove a driveway (as the driveway was only permitted because of the owner’s handicapped mother in the first place).

Dear PoP – Legal to live in a House without Electricity?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user a.w.miller

“Dear PoP,

Does anyone know the legality of this:
The home next to me is being rented by a group of adults. they have lived in it without electricity for several months. is it legal to rent out or occupy a home without electricity? My concern is about the condition of the house after months of no electricity and that the inhabitants are using candles which could start a fire.”

Mike Ruppert from DCRA replies:

“If the building is owner occupied then they have the right to live “off the grid” if they choose to. If it’s a rental property, then we are charged with getting electricity restored to the property on behalf of the tenants in most cases. Not having electricity is typically an indicator that other serious life safety violations likely exist. We strongly urge the neighbor to contact us and get an inspector there immediately.”

A Quick Rave from a Reader

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Wake Up The Giant

“Dear PoP,

Since many of your readers live in areas where graffiti continues to be a problem, just wanted to send you a quick note about my experience with using 311 to get it removed. Our wooden fence got tagged last week, so I put in a request for removal online to the mayor’s 311 center. To be honest I didn’t really have high hopes that anything would come of it. However, two days later a ‘homeowner waiver’ appeared in our mailbox, I guess to release the city from liability since they would be removing the graffiti from our private property? At any rate, I filled it out and faxed it back the next day. Two days after that (today!) the city showed up and started powerwashing my fence! It took them all of 10 minutes, and it got almost everything off except for the vague trace of an outline that I’m hoping will fade with time.

Anyway, isn’t it nice when something actually works like it is supposed to in DC? Just thought I’d let folks know how quick and easy this all was.”

Dear PoP – Question about illegal dumping

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I’ve done some extensive landscaping over the last few weeks and have accumulated a lot of waste in the process. A neighborhood guy (lets call him “Alanzo”) who has mowed my lawn and hauled waste for me on several previous occasions offered to haul a recent load away for $100. Turns out, his truck contact fell through this time and rather than approaching me, he decided to illegally dump the waste yet graciously accept payment under the pretenses that the job had been completed. Of course, I didn’t learn of this until a few weeks ago, when a public works inspector dropped off a card with a note on the back instructing me to contact him regarding illegally dumped yard waste in a nearby alley. I immediately went to the dump location and determined that most (but not all) of the waste had originated from my yard. Wanting to rectify the situation immediately, I brokered a deal with a neighbor to dump the waste a his pull-away dumpster. The next day, I called the inspector and left him a voicemail explaining what had transpired. After a few days and no response, I contacted the inspector once more to no avail.

On Saturday, I was greeted with a certified letter from DC Public Works indicating that I had been charged with illegal dumping and fined $1000. I was livid. The inspector neglected to return my calls, yet decided to issue me the infraction despite my explanation and effort to resolve the issue. Clearly, if my intent was to illegally dump my waste less than a block from my property, I would have done so myself and saved the $100.

I’m wondering if either you our the PoP readers have any insight on how to move forward. On the infraction notice, it indicates that I have the option to deny, admit, or admit with written explanation. I’ve got nothing to hide, but at the same time, I don’t want to be screwed by the DC government. Any/all advice would be much appreciated.”

Wow, this sounds especially painful since you went out of your way to do the right thing. Illegal dumping is a frustrating experience for many in our neighborhoods.

Do you think the DC Public Works department is being fair? If not, do you think there is anyway to get the fine rescinded? I’m thinking you should definitely contact your Council Member but I suspect this is going to be very frustrating experience.

Dear PoP – What’s Going on with old Alliance of Concerned Men Building?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I was hoping you could do an update of the building at 11th and Harvard that once housed the Alliance of Concerned Men. As you probably remember, there was a fire in the building in January. Since then the windows have remained boarded up and it doesn’t appear there has been any work done to restore the damage from the fire. At various time the place has become a magnet for tagging and graffiti which the city thankfully removes. I thought it was interesting that the Alliance of Concerned Men sign that used to stand at the corner was taken down or removed not too long ago.

Does the group plan to return to building? Do they plan on making any repairs? Right now it’s bordering on a Horse’s Ass award since it’s stood boarded up for so long without any indication of repairs.

Any new info would be greatly appreciated by the residents of the neighborhood!”

According to Council Member Jim Graham: “it will be rehabbed as a seniors only building.” I’m trying to get confirmation from DC Housing Authority. Signs have recently gone up announcing trash removal (thanks to another reader for sending):

I’ll be sure to show new photos when/if it’s completed in August.

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