quality of life

Dear PoP – Cabs Won’t Take Me Home

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

“Dear PoP,

I was outside Meridian Pint with a friend in Columbia Heights on Saturday night around 12 am trying to get a cab home. I live around 8th & E NE. I flagged down four cabs and all refused my fare, two saying “I don’t go to Northeast,” one who just said “no” and drove away, and the fourth saying he was on his way home to Silver Spring and my address was out of his way. I was under the impression it was illegal for cab drivers to refuse fares in the District, and when I brought that up to the first cab driver he said he didn’t care. After briefly driving off, he came back and tried to bargain a price with me and when I refused to do so, he told me that my choice was stupid and sped off. Unfortunately, I did not have time to take down his information to report him. Do you know of anyone else who’s had trouble getting home to NE (or anywhere else in the District)? And what can I do about this if it happens in the future?”

When I first moved to Petworth in 2003 cabs used to refuse to take me home all the time. It’s hard to describe how frustrating that feeling was. Fortunately that rarely happens to me anymore. At the time I think folks just recommended taking down their license number on the visor? Does anyone know what phone number/who to contact with that info? Have others encountered a tough time catching a cab to other quadrants of the city? Do folks who go the H St, NE or the Hill have a tough time catching a cab back to NW and vice versa? What’s the best advice for when a cab refuses to take you home?

Friday Question of the Day – Should all Restaurants be Kid Friendly?

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I took both my girls for their birthday dinner at Palena Cafe (the new part) yesterday. One daughter turned one, the other turned seven – it was the seven year olds choice (she loves it.) Anyway, I guess we usually don’t take the one year old so I was surprised when I asked for a high chair, they said they didn’t carry them. So I guess that’s a blatant message that they don’t really want kids eating there. Which is strange because the staff has always been very nice to our kids. The other thing I noticed is that the new cafe part was pretty empty but they tried to seat us in the old area – I said I wanted to be seated in the new area and they obliged but I still left feeling a little like the unwanted guest. On a positive note, they gave both girls lovely desserts and the works but that again leads me back to why they wouldn’t be more kid friendly with the high chairs. And the fact that they really weren’t that packed seems like it would be a nice option for all the young families around (who trust me – eat on the early side and wouldn’t really interfere with the dinner crowd.)”

Hmm, this is an interesting question I’ll throw out to everyone for the Friday Question of the Day – should all restaurants be kid friendly? What exactly does kid friendly mean? Do you think it is ok to bring young kids to a nice restaurant if it is before 8pm? Or should young kids not go to “nice” restaurants no matter the time? Are there different expectations with a “white table cloth” restaurant and a cafe? At what age is it ok take kids to “nice” restaurants? I know we’ve spoken before about folks who’ve been irritated by crying babies in bars – what’s the proper etiquette for restaurants?

Dear PoP – Horn Honking on Streets in Early Morning

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Jess J

“Dear PoP,

I just want to preface this by saying that I fully understand that this is a first-world problem. It’s not a major thing, so I hope the readers don’t jump down my throat, but I can’t think of anyone else to really ask for advice on the situation. So here goes!

Basically, my partner and two children and I live in northern Petworth on a side street not far from GA Ave. Overall, it’s very quiet and mellow. However, there are cars (at least one, if not more) that drive by our house every single morning that LOVE to lean on their horns over and over and over. Most of the time, it’s a 6:30 am blast two or three times — something that will wake you up, but usually limited enough so that you can go back to sleep. Lately, though, a car (or two?) has been driving up and down the street repeatedly — at 3:30 am — honking on and off, over and over. Last night it happened about 4 times (i.e. 4 trips up and down the street).

Our bedroom faces the street and it’s incredibly frustrating to be woken up over and over. Even earplugs often aren’t enough to block out the sound. Calling 911 seems absurd, but other than going out and chasing the car at 4 a.m. (which also seems a little crazy) we don’t know if there’s anything that can be done ….”

First of all this a completely reasonable concern – period. What I would do is go outside and talk to the driver (very nicely) at 6:30am. Simply ask politely if they would stop. As for the 3:30am honking – I actually would call 911 especially if it is recurring.

What do you guys think?

Dear PoP – What can I do about the “Columbia Heights Creeper”?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user christopher.poole

“Dear PoP,

I’m curious to know if your other readers have encountered this extremely creepy guy that’s been stalking women in the area of 14th and Florida pretty much every weekday morning around 8 am (usually 8:15 is when I am passing by) for the last couple weeks- right in the area by the Pica Taco, which is delicious, btw.

Anyway, this guy hovers and waits for a woman to approach then starts walking toward her and begins to rub his bare stomach and then… This is the point where I stop watching and walk as fast as I can. It’s become extremely concerning because it’s clear that he stays in this specific area waiting for women to pass and will switch sides of the street depending on where women are walking. He’s a black male, maybe late 20’s or early 30’s (I’m terrible at estimating age and I really try not to make eye contact), wears glasses, and has been wearing a black jacket lately.He’s getting more aggressive and quickly approaches.

This morning I was relieved to see him walking to the opposite side of the street as me and thought I wouldn’t have to deal with him- turns out he was trying to avoid being seen by a police car that was driving by. As soon as it passed, he spotted me and immediately came back to my side. This freaked me out, so I turned around and started walking in the direction of the police car, now stopped at the light at 14th (but still a decent distance away). It was enough to scare him off, which makes me think he’s been in trouble with the law before or at least knows he could get in trouble for this.

I’m not sure what to do here, short of altering my walking route. I used to see him on New Hampshire walking up from U Street. It was less creepy then because he seemed to be walking from point A to B, rather than hanging out in an area waiting for women to, um, rub himself to- though he was still doing the stomach rubbing thing back then but it came across as more of a “maybe he has a few screws loose” then “this guy is definitely getting sexual gratification out of this” type thing.

I’m reluctant to call 911 since I’m not even sure if it constitutes a crime. I know I feel icky, but since there’s no physical contact, he doesn’t say anything to me, and I never look long enough to see if he exposes himself, I’m not sure what I would tell the 911 operator. It’s weird because I’ve observed him enough times to know it’s a pattern and that he waits there and intentionally crosses paths with women, but each incident taken separately might just seem like a weird guy walking down the street rubbing his stomach (even if it is an extremely grotesque rub)?

Any insight is much appreciated, this is the first time I’ve legitimately dreaded walking to work.”

I think it’s very important that MPD and then social services are notified. So to be blunt – I would not hesitate to call 911. You never know if this sort of thing can escalate into something more aggressive. I strongly believe that if you feel threatened you are completely within your rights to call the authorities and let them work it out. Odds are this will be a social services situation. But you needn’t feel threatened every time you walk to work – that is unacceptable in my opinion. What would you guys recommend for this situation?

The 5pm Post – “TONIGHT! NWCHCA Community Public Forum – 6:30 PM – Serving Hot Cider!”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Faucetini

From an email:

“No matter where you live in DC, Tuesday’s Community Public Forum on Criminal Justice will be interesting and informative. Participation from the US Attorney’s Office, along with several community leaders. We will discuss theft-from-auto, perhaps the most prevalent crime in DC, and a specific case of a belligerent, mentally ill, drug-addicted squatter who terrorized a Columbia Heights neighborhood for months before the matter was resolved due to pressure from the community.

Let’s keep the conversation going! Come talk about solving chronic public safety problems in our neighborhoods. The panelists will speak briefly, then we’ll have small-group discussions where we can all have our say and raise our issues. Please come, and bring your neighbors. Hot apple cider and our usual cookies, chips, hummus, veggies, cheese, crackers, etc. will be served.

TUESDAY

Date: February 15, 2011
Time: 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: St Stephen and the Incarnation Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton Street NW, Upstairs Auditorium

Featured Guests:
Columbia Heights: Block Captains and Neighbors from Newton Street Josue Salmeron, Tania Hutchinson and Tom Cochran
U Street: Public Safety Leaders Brian Card and Sushupta Sudarshan
Trinidad: Kathy Henderson, Ward 5 Court Watch Leader
Ex-Offender Re-entry: Courtney Stewart, Mentoring Works2 and the Reentry Network for Ex-Offenders
US Attorney’s Office: Prosecutors Stephen Prest and Shana Fulton”

Has our Graffiti Problem Reached Epidemic Proportions?

By Prince Of Petworth

Ed. Note: I’m hoping we can discuss this problem without highlighting names because I don’t want to encourage these people. (I’m using one photo above to illustrate but have deleted the many other examples.) I’m not talking about artists, muralists, or even taggers in alleys. I’m also not talking about gang graffiti where people tag to mark their territory. I’m talking about people who tag right out in the open on houses, retaining walls, bridges, storefronts etc. Since I can’t articulate it better – what I’m talking about is BORF like graffiti.

So this weekend I did a ton of walking – 33 total miles. I say this not to show off, ok maybe a little, but really to say I covered a lot of ground this weekend. Unfortunately, in all the time I’ve been running this blog I’ve rarely been more saddened by what I saw this weekend. The graffiti seemed to be everywhere. Normally I see some graffiti but never to this extent. The cumulative effect was truly depressing.

Have you guys noticed an uptick in graffiti around town? If so – what neighborhoods have you seen it in? Do you have any suggestions about how you think this problem can be mitigated? What do you think is the motivation of these types of taggers?

It now seems even more painful to learn about the elimination of some “Green Teams”.

I know that preventing violent crimes are a much more serious concern for law enforcement. But to me the extent of this behavior has gotten so bad that, while not equal in its severity, it is still seriously degrading our neighborhoods.

Dear PoP – Elimination of the “Green Team” in Wards 1, 2 and 4

By Prince Of Petworth


Georgia Ave, NW on Saturday Feb. 12 in Parkview Ward 1

“Dear PoP,

I know that you have posted plenty on the issue of illegal dumping and trash removal in the past. My neighbors and I learned of some very sad news last night that affects us all. Funding for the District’s “Green Team” has been completely eliminated. This DPW team had been tasked with taking care of the following services in Wards 1, 2 and 4 for the past 4 + years:

• Trash Collection & Bulk Trash Removal• Street Cleaning• Beautification Services• Landscaping & Green Space Maintenance• Graffiti & Illegal Sign Removal• Snow Removal

The services that this team provided were invaluable to us as we battle illegal dumping in our alleys, and in making sure that our streets remain clean and safe. In addition, the loss of this team means the loss of meaningful jobs for those who really needed them to support their families as well as reach personal and professional life goals. This team and this service enriched us all. Over the past two weeks, my neighbors and I have encountered illegal dumping of items on an enormous scale in our alley.

Today a press conference was held to discuss this very unfortunate turn of events in our community. CM Graham has been instrumental in making this program work and the loss of finding is truly devastating. If at all possible, can you post this so that other residents can send a note to CM Graham or their own CM?

These city services are crucial to making our city a beautiful, livable place. We neighbors get together to pick up trash and follow the rules when putting out bulk items, but many, many people just do not care. Without the extra support of the city we face an uphill battle. The cost to the former Green Team members is even greater.

We know there are so many city issues out there that need to be addressed – crime, education, etc. But living in a clean environment is essential to making our lives healthy and safe.”

This is horrible news. You can find contact info for your Council Member (and at large members) here.

Dear PoP – Non-snow Sidewalk of Shame nominee

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

The bushes on this portion of 17th street between Florida and V St NW hang over approximately 2/3 of what is otherwise a nice, wide sidewalk. This leaves only a very narrow passing lane that gets difficult in the mornings with dog-owners and commuters often getting tangled. I can’t remember them ever being pruned back. The owners must be obligated to keep the sidewalk clear, right? Do you or your readers know anything about this home or what recourse is available?”

Yup the business/home owner is responsible for keeping it clear. I believe fines are given after a warning. Anyone know for sure? Anyone deal with a similar situation?

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