quality of life

Dear PoP – aggression towards pedestrians in Dupont/Logan Circles

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Bogotron

“Dear PoP,

I am writing to ask for your help in raising awareness about driver aggression towards pedestrians in the Dupont/Logan area.

In the last six months or so, I have noticed a disturbing trend in our neighborhood. Rather than yielding to pedestrians — as the law requires — drivers sometimes actually speed up when a pedestrian is in the crosswalk. This has happened to both my husband and me on separate occasions, to the point that we had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by a car accelerating towards us. I saw it again yesterday, only this time it was a taxicab that floored it towards a pedestrian who was crossing at R and Connecticut — and the pedestrian had both the light and the right of way!

It’s terrifying to see a car accelerating towards you. But once I got over the fright, I became very angry, especially because I feel helpless to fight back in any way. It is also happening to bikers who are obeying traffic rules; I have three different friends who have told me about cars/trucks speeding up towards them and/or running them off the road.

I don’t know what can be done to stop this disturbing trend, but I know I need to raise awareness before another person gets killed.”

We had a very lively Dear PoP, People leisurely walking into speeding traffic, last week from a driver’s perspective. It is interesting to see a pedestrian’s perspective. Is this problem particularly bad in Dupont/Logan Circles or is it a problem all over the city?

Dear PoP – Pepco Problems

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

“Dear PoP,

Can you find out why the power is out on several blocks in NW and NE. Ilive at 15th and Upshur and lost power last night about 8pm. The power came on about 1am and then went out again at 6:30am. Is there a reason for this? I know that a few weeks ago, the building I work in lost power for about 3 or 4 days in a row and we were on back up.”

I’ve definitely seen a few emails and tweets about this. I saw the following on a listserv:

“Seems there are continuous problems w/power outages in this area. For help, contact the Office of the People’s Counsel, your utility attorneys who protect the interests of the ratepayers in DC. 202/727-3071. Herb Jones is the Customer Services Mgr. They will investigate and assist w/getting Pepco to resolve the problem”

Have others been having power problems? Do you think it’s because everyone is putting their Air Conditioning on?

Dear PoP – What do you do when…

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo from PoPville flickr user hellomarkers!

“Random people drinking in the alley behind my apartment? I live on the first floor of my building, at the back, and my windows are literally eye level with the alley. Generally, it’s very quiet, not a lot of activity. The only cars that come through are typically going to the condos behind me as they are the only folks who have parking spots (that I can tell).

For the last three nights in a row, I’ve come home around 7:00 to the sound of really loud music and several individuals (typically young men, yesterday there was a woman) drinking beer either in or outside of a car. It’s been the same car every time and it has MD tags. I know, I know … I can’t say that they don’t live in the area based only on tags but if they are local, why are they drinking, seemingly on the sly in the alley right behind my house?!?! They don’t live in my building, I’m pretty sure of that and I can only assume when they’re done with the 24 pack of Heineken bottles (the drink of choice) they drive off, obviously a very dangerous move.

I’ve contemplated calling the cops … I’m a single woman, living alone and don’t feel comfortable confronting them myself. Other obvious responses would be to close my windows, leave my place, etc. but I pay to live there and it’s hot outside, meaning open windows is a must in my apt!!! I’m pretty sure none of these people are paying to drink in the alley every night.

I’d appreciate any ideas other readers might have!”

I strongly recommend you call 911. You can be anonymous and when they operator asks your name just say, “I’d rather not give it”. If you call 911 everytime a record will be started and MPD can monitor the situation better.

What do you guys think?

Dear PoP – People leisurely walking into speeding traffic

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville Flickr user Blinkofanaye Ed. Note: I love the photo above and don’t mean to imply they were walking into traffic…

“Dear PoP,

Whats the deal with people walking into speeding traffic in dc? I have witnessed and nearly been in many an accident caused by people or groups of people leisurely sauntering across the street with no regard for the traffic. Its as if they just expect people to slam on their brakes or swerve to avoid them… I admit that I j-walk when the coast is clear, but walking into speeding traffic is just ridiculous. I often see the behavior with groups of young high school kids who just walk out into traffic and ignore the cars… if you honk they flick you off and curse at you… I feel like this has gotten more and more prevalent, over the past few months even, as no one is being punished or has been killed by the behavior. Its particularly bad down around u st. Anyone else experiencing this? What can we do about it?”

I have noticed this for years though I’m not sure anything can be done besides a pr campaign by the city. But for full disclosure, I know sometimes when I’m taking photos I sometimes find myself absentmindedly wandering into the middle of the road, I’ve had a few close calls and do need to pay better attention.

There actually is a campaign called Street Smart you know the one with the terrifying posters.

There was a press release back in March ’09.

Can anything else be done besides a PR campaign?

Dear PoP – Boarding House Going Up in Shaw?

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoP,

I recently heard that what I thought was a welcomed new residential building is intended to be a boarding house once the renovation is complete. This is the large gutted red-brick building across from the playground near the corner of P and 6 St: 605 P. St.

Here is a link to the petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/605p/587602937/taf. There was a hearing last night with the local council member at the JFK community center at the corner of P and 7th at 7PM.

This could be a huge set back for the Shaw neighborhood and those nearby.”

Wow, they set up a whole Web site about this property.

City Paper’s Housing Complex reports:

“DCRA director Linda Argo—who said that there appeared to be much “confusion” over the process. She dispatched chief building inspector Dan Masoero to last night’s meeting of the Convention Center Community Association, where over the course of a 30-minute sparring session, he firmly told neighbors that the developer was fully within his rights and inspectors had found no problems on the site.”

Horse’s Ass Award (Reader Nomination)

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader wrote in suggesting this property in Eckington be nominated for this week’s horse’s ass award. The work this reader put together is incredible. He compiled all of his research in PDF format here:  329 Rhode Island Ave NE

The reader writes:

“My Eckington neighbors and I have been battling the owner of 329 Rhode Island Ave NE (a 6 story boarded up building that has stood vacant for 12+ years). It’s been on a “watchlist” since 2000 (http://www.dcwatch. com/mayor/ 000314.htm). Last year, it magically caught fire a day after it was placed on the tax sale list, and burned for 3 days since the firecrews couldn’t extinguish the tar roof. You also featured video of the blaze on your website… And now the building owner has collected his insurance money, but the building still languishes and the owner gets even more exemptions from vacant and blighted property taxes.

DCRA has been unwavering in their dedication to giving exemption after exemption to the building owner, since he always says he’s trying to renovate it, or sell it. However no work is ever done on the building, and there certainly isn’t any MLS listing the building as “for sale.”

Continues after the jump. (more…)

Dear PoP – surge in graffiti activity

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

I have noticed a surge in graffiti activity in Columbia Heights over the past few weeks, but one takes a particularly long pause when it happens to your own property. Please see my crude photo documentation of the most recent tag “GA” along Girard between 11th and 14th. How annoying is this? Councilman Graham has been quick to respond. I think it’s fair to say it needs to be removed. How about preventing CH from turning into a late 1970’s NYC subway mural. CH has seen clear and present growth with respect to pride in ownership. The littering must stop, the graffiti must stop!”

More examples here – CH Girard artwork

Battle of the Safeways: Haves Vs. Have Nots

By Prince Of Petworth


Petworth’s Safeway on Georgia Ave (3830 Georgia Ave, NW)


Georgetown’s new Safeway on Wisconsin Ave (1855 Wisconsin Ave, NW)

While I’m very happy with the YES! Organic Market a bit further up the block at Georgia and Taylor, I find it pretty appalling to compare the Petworth Safeway to the Georgetown Safeway. I understand that Georgetown residents have a lot of money to spend so obviously they are going to get a nice store but Petworth residents were told time and time again that this relic on Georgia Ave was going to be upgraded. Whenever I ask Mayor Fenty or Council Member Bowser they say, plans are still in the works. But Lord – how long must we wait. Quite frankly I just don’t like all the bullshit. If they’re not going to upgrade the Georgia Ave Safeway then just say so. Be honest with us, we can take it. I’ve heard lots of rumors as to why the Safeway upgrade has stalled. Some blame residents, some blame Safeway, some blame funding/tax break issues. But are we not entitled to an honest answer?

So once and for all – should the Georgia Ave Safeway be upgraded? If so, what is the responsibility of Safeway, our elected leaders and/or the residents to make sure this happens.  I believe that Mt. Vernon Square (City Vista), Adams Morgan, Georgetown, Navy Yard (SW Waterfront) all have new or upgraded stores.  Besides Petworth what other neighborhoods do you think are due for an upgrade?

I can tell you when I walked into the Georgia Ave store this weekend I was hit with a foul odor. When I walked into the Wisconsin Ave store, I could swear that the aisles were paved with gold. Not to speak for all but I’d be happy with half as nice an upgrade in Petworth.

Luncheon meats at Georgia Ave above.

A portion of the cheese selection at Wisconsin Ave below.

Dear PoP – Parking Meter FAIL, literally

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Madame Meow

Ugh, this is frustrating. I know it’s not bike related but perhaps DDOT could take a second to look into this…

“Dear PoP,

Have you fielded any complaints from DC drivers regarding “self-correcting” parking meters? These are meters that may initially accept coins but then display an “out of order” message, and thereafter stop registering the deposit of additional coins. Drivers are left with the choice of finding new parking spaces or calling in the meters as broken. If a driver decides to call in the meter as broken, and leave, even for 10 minutes, the driver faces the risk that the parking meter will “self-correct” during his/her absence. “Self-correcting” means that a parking meter resets itself, showing “00:00”, as if no money had ever been deposited. According to a recent Washington Examiner article, 74 percent of the City’s meters are designed to “self-correct.” Here is the rub. The City’s meter enforcement officials ticket cars at meters that have self-corrected; to them, the cars appear to have been parked at functioning meters and that their drivers have not deposited the any money.

In my particular case, I deposited 75 cents at a meter outside Whole Foods on P St., NW. The meter then displayed out of order. I called the meter in as broken, was given a confirmation number by the City, and was told I could park at the broken meter for up to two hours. Returning to my car 15 minutes later, I found a $25 ticket. I appealed the $25 fine and the City rejected it, on the grounds that the City had checked for “complaints, outages or repairs during the time period the violation occurred” and had found none. In order to appeal that decision, DC regulations required that I pay the $25 fine and a $10 appeal fee. Last night I received a letter stating my payment was an admission of guilt and the City considers the case closed. I guess the City is now $35 closer to closing its several hundred million dollar budget gap…”

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