Dear PoPville

“who is legally liable for stolen packages?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

As we approach prime package theft season, I was hoping someone could provide me information on who is legally liable for stolen packages? I’m assuming most packages are the responsibility of the shipper / shipping company for most of the shipping process, but at what point does the liability fall to the ultimate recipient of the package? Often UPS/USPS/FedEx leaves packages either outside of my building or in our easily accessible lobby, even though we’ve asked them to please deliver to unit doors or to use special package boxes to minimize theft. Any info would be appreciated!”

“a guest at the Hotel deliberately opened his blinds and pleasured himself in front of the window for no less than 10 minutes”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Mr.TinDC

“Dear PoPville,

My apartment window faces the Hotel Carlyle, and a guest at the Carlyle Hotel deliberately opened his blinds and pleasured himself in front of the window for no less than 10 minutes on Wednesday 11/8. I called the police and spoke extensively with the hotel management, including sending them photographic evidence of the incident. I am 100% sure this was a deliberate action on this man’s part, intended to intimidate.

I am incredibly disappointed that the hotel’s response was to do the absolute minimum. (more…)

“Rules don’t apply to us”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

During the lunch rush in Dupont yesterday, I saw three illegally parked USPS trucks and a crowd of postal workers eating at the McDonalds on 17th Street. When I asked them why they could park illegally, they told me that the rules don’t apply to them and to call the police if I felt so inclined. I did so and a few minutes later a traffic officer went in and sat with them to eat. Why exactly do I get so many tickets when I miss the meter by 2 minutes?”

“Contingent/Pro Bono Animal Rights/Legal Assistance Needed: Dog Attack, Landlord Liability and DC Housing Authority…”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Julian Ortiz

“Dear PoPville,

I am contacting you to express longstanding frustration and advocate the need to legally address – and hold accountable – the utter lack of adherence regarding DC leash laws, with my dog and I being unfairly impacted as a result.

This summer, my 9-year-old leashed dog and I were attacked by two un-altered, un-fenced, un-collared, un-leashed dogs. I underwent medical attention for multiple dog bites requiring weeks of follow-up — and my dog underwent extensive veterinary treatment. Thousands of dollars in combined medical and veterinary bills were amassed and for nearly a week we weren’t sure our dog would survive.

This dog attack was 100% preventable, 100% based on negligence and – with previous calls from neighbors to animal control about the same two dogs made, with no actions taken – a 100% total disregard for the law. Therefore we are holding the homeowner, property manager and tenant/dog owner 100% liable and 100% accountable for the damages created as a result. (more…)

“We park there and got tickets every day. What can we do?”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I am renovating an abandoned house in Georgetown and have been hit hard with parking tickets.

The house does not have off street parking. We got construction staging area permit through DDOT and got “No Parking” signs. We were granted the use of 44′ of the parking lane in front of the house. The parking lane has a sign that says “No Parking during school hours”. The school, Hyde-Addison, is closed for the next two years for renovation.

Then we park there and got tickets every day. What can we do?”

“How about them potholes? 11th Street Edition”

By Prince Of Petworth


a pothole

“Dear PoPville,

What can we do about the massive pothole issue on 11th Street NW between U and Florida Ave corridors (northbound), and also 11th Street NW between U and T (southbound)? It’s a minefield but also the route that I use every day because it’s the best route for bike commuting. If something doesn’t happen soon, I propose that citizens take it into their hands and start tagging each pothole that needs attention by drawing something ridiculous… so the city will finally pay attention to the safety and conditions of these streets that are regularly used! You can’t be a zero vision – bike friendly city without maintaining your infrastructure!”

Ed. Note: Potholepalooza usually kicks off early April.

“Does anyone know of any company that repairs or replaces gas lamps?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user echaik

“Dear PoPville,

Does anyone know of any company that repairs or replaces gas lamps? My parent’s house in VA has a gas lamp at the front steps. My contractor said the mantles (the part that glows with gas flow, shaped like a light bulb) need to be replaced. But you have to turn off the gas first. Gas company said the lamp is not metered, so they do not service it. I said I can smell the gas flowing, very faintly, if you stand next to the lamp, since the gas is not being used to light the mantles, they said they will not shut off the gas. I can’t find the shut off on or near the lamp itself, the screw on the side which is supposed to control the gas flow doesn’t seem to do anything. Lighting shops say they only deal with electric lights, not gas.

The lamp seemed to be running fine for many years, it provides good light on the front steps. I think due to age the mantles just disintegrated. Would be great to be able to fix it somehow.”

“I’ve lived in DC 25+ years and never had another pedestrian, biker, or even driver act quite like this.”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Just [7pm Monday night] nearly got run over on the US Capitol Grounds by a very aggressive biker who really added a cherry on top by screaming that I was a “stupid c*nt” for using the curbcut.

Walking downhill near the botanic garden about to cross the street – on what feels like a footpath but I guess doubles as a bike path which is confusing as bikes aren’t generally allowed on sidewalks downtown. Was wearing white so I could easily be seen.

Biker was coming very fast directly towards me and I was on the sidewalk. I head toward the curbcut to cross the road and when he wasn’t moving I said “hey!”

He didn’t slow down or move, nearly running me over, then screamed at me to not to use the curbcut as those are “only for bikers,” and threw in the special slur. White male, mid-40s, lots of lights on his bike and maybe a camera on his helmet. (more…)

“I just moved into a new condo in Brookland and wanted to put up some security cameras”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

A question for the forum: I just moved into a new condo in Brookland and wanted to put up some security cameras. I like the idea of the Blink cameras being wireless and not needing to pay to store video, but I’ve been reading some drawbacks in the reviews. The Nest was my other thought, but its $100 per year per camera to store 10 days of footage. Anyone have recommendations?”

Ed. Note: Here are some recommendations from last year. Anyone particularly happy with their cameras? Learn about the Private Security Camera Incentive Program.

View More Stories