quality of life

Dear PoPville – Frustrating Police Response

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I wanted to share a rather disturbing experience I had last Saturday (July 15) at the V Nail Salon on Park Rd, between 14th and 15th in Columbia Heights. I was there with about 25 other customers in the salon around 3 pm in the afternoon. A male entered the salon, clearly high as a kite on something, mumbling incoherently with only pants on. The owner of V nails, an older gentleman tried to ask the man to leave. At that point, the man escalated and became physically threatening to the owner, and began moving throughout the entire salon. He was clearly threatening to everyone in the place, we had no idea what he was on, if he had a weapon or what he could do to any one of us. I placed a call to 911 at 2:57 and provided a very detailed description (considering he was about 2 feet from me, that wasn’t exactly challening), along with at least one other customer and the shop owner. I put another call in at 3:03 when the man left the establishment and moved towards 16th street on Park Rd to alert police. The shop owner locked the door, and the man came back continuing to make threatening gestures through the window. Shockingly, considering the number of people in harms way, the police didn’t arrive until about 10 minutes after my first call. 4 uniformed officers came to the door of the salon and spoke with the owner. None came in and they split up, 2 going towards16th and 2 going towards 14th. No police officer ever returned to the salon. At about 3:20, I left and started walking towards 16th street. To my surprise, when I came towards to the corner of 16th and park, low and behold the man who had threatened 25 people was hanging out in the park across the catholic church (not exactly a shocking location for him to be found for anyone that knows the neighborhood in the slightest). I called 911 again at 3:25 and the dispatcher initially had a difficult time locating the original call, then explained that unless the shopkeeper filed charges, there was nothing the police could. I explained it was a bit difficult for the shop owner to file charges, when the police had clearly never apprehended the suspect since I was looking at him from across the street while talking to the dispatcher and there was no police presence. He stated he’d make a note about my concerns.

I then saw a police car driving down 16th street and flagged them down. The officers responded and called into dispatch to alert the officers assigned to the original call to let them know they had the suspect in sight. The dispatcher couldn’t find any record of any call about this incident (just to reiterate – I’m aware of at least 6 calls that occurred related to this incident), so the officer got into her vehicle and looked it up on her computer, where she learned that the call had been closed out and since it was closed out, they couldn’t find out who the assigned officers were. Furthermore, since the original complaint took place in the 3rd district and they were in the 4th district, they couldn’t take action. They explained that they had already been assigned a call and needed to clear that in their district, but afterwards would go back and check on the shopkeeper. I noted the absurdity of this when I was an eyewitness and had identified the man, they agreed but their hands were tied. I took their cards and returned to the shop. The shop owner confirmed that the police had never returned. I provided the business card of the police officers from district 4 and explained that they thought they would come back.

The whole thing was disturbing on so many levels. I don’t know if this is the level of police response we can expect in our neighborhood these days – but I find it incredibly disturbing at the various levels of inaction and incompetence. It certainly does not make this long time Mt Pleasant resident feel confident about any police response in the future in an emergency situation.

Dear PoPville – Can Construction Workers Stop Cars At Will?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Every morning, I drive down 9th Street to work downtown. For months, I’ve accepted the traffic delays from the construction sites at O Street (City Market), L Street (new hotel) and K-H Street (City Center), since ultimately the projects will make the area so much better.

But there’s something that drives me crazy. These construction sites each have workers equipped with stop signs who stop traffic whenever they want so they can move their construction vehicles in and out at will. An official traffic officer would take into account the flow of traffic and the needs of all drivers, pedestrians and construction crew in determining how often or when to stop traffic. These unofficial traffic directors just do it whenever they feel like it. Especially in the thick of rush hour, this can cause total chaos.

You’ll see the light is red when the picture was taken (see above), but the “traffic officer” kept cars held up through the green light so that construction trucks could zip in and out. This was at the hotel site on L Street. Holding traffic through a green light cycle causes gridlock and backup for several blocks.

My question — is this actually legal? I’m all for construction getting completed quickly, but if these construction companies need to work through rush hour, I think they should be more respectful of residents and commuters.

Dear PoPville – Anyone Live in NoMa?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

Dear PoPville,

I currently live in a group house in Columbia Heights but at the end of my lease this fall, I am planning to move in with my girlfriend. We have a small dog which makes apartment shopping a bit more difficult (and expensive) and we don’t have gads of cash to spend on a penthouse in Dupont. We recently found a gorgeous apartment with all sorts of frills in the NoMa neighborhood (it’s on the metro sign now… time to give in) that is within our price range. We love the place and understand that NoMa is getting lots of attention from developers and the like, but it is currently no Columbia Heights. How do people feel about this neighborhood? It would be convenient in terms of transportation for us, and we like the idea of being able to walk down to H street to go out, but we will certainly miss the days of the 11th street stretch in CoHi. Apartment amenities of the new place are also a huge draw (pool, gym, dog park) as we have never lived in a place that had these things. Our only concern is that the area is less walk-able and a bit higher crime. Do people like living in NoMa?

I actually recommend NoMa to folks all the time. As you noted there is tons of development coming but what I love most about it is the location. It’s like in the center of it all. You’re super close to H Street but also not terribly far from U Street (especially if you get a bike). It’s the best of both worlds. Because there is so much newer development I don’t think you’ll get that 11th St feeling that you had in Columbia Heights but I wouldn’t hesitate to move there if you found a nice apartment. I also don’t think the crime is higher there at all. I think you should go for it!

For the folks that live in NoMa – where do you find you hang out most – H Street? If so – do you walk there? Bike? Any advice for someone thinking of moving to the neighborhood?

Dear PoPville – Are Afterhours Construction Permits Legit?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I just had to bang on my neighbor’s door at 12:30 because he was doing construction, hammering on the party wall, table saws, the whole bit.

I said “Come on, you can’t do construction after midnight” but he said he had an after hours permit. And that they were finished.

I’ll talk to him tomorrow when I’m less exhausted and less angry, but does an after hours permit really trump noise regulations and allow you to do make that much noise after midnight?

I couldn’t find anything on the dcra website.

Sweet Tree Box Conversion

By Prince Of Petworth

A readers sends in this great find:

“This isn’t quite a garden, but it’s an adorable tree box in NE Capitol Hill near Lincoln Park. Who can’t adore little kids and pumpkins? I hope it makes you smile as much as it makes me.”

Dear PoPville – Our landlord does not allow bikes in the building. Is it normal for him to do random inspections?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user johnmcochran2012

Dear PoPville,

We live in a small building (about 20 units) between Adams Morgan and U Street. The landlord was very nice to us when we moved in and takes real pride in his units, which are being 100% renovated as tenants move out (ours is completely brand new). Our rent is very reasonable for the area, space, and amenities (brand new appliances, working wood fireplace, etc.) and we like living there.

However, our landlord does not allow bikes in the building (he says they have damaged walls/hallway fixtures in the past and is tired of dealing with it) and recently posted a sign saying that all apartments would be subject to routine inspection tomorrow. Someone will enter our apartment from 9:30-12:30. There is no reason listed on the sign for the inspection.

We have read our lease and there is a clause the the landlord can enter units during an emergency to do inspection and can do regular inspections when giving notice. This seems standard for a lease, but I suppose that we’ve never actually seen this acted upon outside of situations that call for it–broken pipes, etc. What could he hope to gain other than making all of his residents feel like residents of a live-in prison?

Dear PoPville – “is being in your mid twenties and still living with your parents totally cool these days or a big N-O?”

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user JRoseC

Dear PoPville,

I was reading responses from Friday’s Question on how much do you make vs. how much debt do you have. While I was writing my response, another question came to mind…My shortened response and question:

I lived in DC for 2 years (09-11) paying $1350 a month. I know I could find something for less, but I lived in crappy shitholes all throughout college and I just really wanted something comfortable and a place I actually wanted to be in. Here was my thinking…I could afford the rent and all the other experiences (some unnecessary) that came with living in the city, but I was saving nothing! I turned 25 and started looking into going back to school and purchasing a new car (which I do need for my job) and realized I had no money in my saving and the thought of incurring a giant debt was making me suicidal (not really, but ya know). Sooo, I bit the bullet, moved back home and started to put money in the bank. I have now paid off and finished the school program I decided on (and could afford) and almost have enough money for the new (HYBRID!!) car I want. I know there is a stigma about grads, or in my case 4-5 years out of college, still living with your parents, but honestly I think it’s a smart move if you have the option and can tolerate it. Personally, it was one of the best decisions I ever made because for real…SHIT’S EXPENSIVE! Thoughts about the whole “I’m 26 and still live with my parents” situation?

So, is being in your mid twenties and still living with your parents totally cool these days or a big N-O? I tend to feel that as long as you are working toward something, it’s totally fine.

Dear PoPville – Looking for Advice on Dealing with Loud Neighbors

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

We moved into our rowhouse apartment about a year ago and were pleasantly surprised by how quiet our neighbors were. Unfortunately that changed a few months ago when new people moved in next door who love to party, playing loud music and having large groups of people talking loudly on their back patio late at night – over the weekend AND during the week. We’ve tried talking directly to the neighbors, asking them to keep it down at night (they blew us off), telling our landlord, who spoke to their landlord, and even have called in noise complaints a few times, but nothing has seemed to get the message across.

Short of moving to a new place, we don’t know what else we can do. I’m all for people having a good time and like to go to a good party myself, but when its on a regular basis and keeps us from sleeping, it gets pretty exhausting after a while. It seems pretty ridiculous that we should have to go through the time, money, and effort of moving while they get to continue keeping everyone up at night having a good time… Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks.

It is Hot and People are, Understandably, Getting Ornery – Please Enjoy Some Ducklings Crossing the Street

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Biking up Pennsylvania Ave yesterday morning, I saw that a cop had stopped traffic in front of Freedom Plaza to let a family of ducks cross the street. Traffic in both directions stopped to let the mother duck and the ducklings cross. After they made it to the curb, they needed some help getting up onto the sidewalk. The police officer and the girl I’m assuming is his daughter gave them a boost while the mother duck quacked at passers-by.

Ed. Note: Pennsylvania Ave appears to be a popular duckling thoroughfare. Back in March we saw some video of an earlier crossing.

Friday Question of the Day – Rating Pepco

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

Day 5 of no power, but Pepco installs a street light!

How is it that Pepco sends out a crew everyday this week to install a street light when the residents of the street are STILL WITHOUT POWER?! How dare they brag about restoring 90%!”

Another resident has started a change.org petition with over 1500 hundred signatures as of Thurs. evening:

Pepco makes millions in profit but remains one of the most unreliable utility companies in America. Add your voice to the demand that Pepco invest their profits in burying the power lines and making our power system more reliable and safe.

In the first 3 months of this year the utility company Pepco made $68 million in profit. In 2009 the CEO of Pepco, Joe Rigby, made $2.9 million in personal income.

My neighbor is 70 years old, her name is Kay, and she has now been without power for 4 days in this sweltering heat. (Update: Kay told me this morning that her dog is acting really sluggish and she is worried the dog might die).

For almost $3 million a year, Joe Rigby needs to be held to account. We demand, on behalf of all the seniors, poverty-stricken and children, that Pepco immediately begin investing their profits in improving our power and implement a long term solution to these unacceptable delays.

For instance, Pepco could commit to a 5 year plan to bury the power lines in their service areas which would greatly improve reliability during massive wind storms and blizzards.

Invest your profits in your customers!

And in the tradition of the Cabin Fever video from Snowmaggadeon 2010, other readers send in a video voicing their frustration (NSFW) in song about Pepco:

But on the other hand we’ve seen Pepco employees working through the 4th of July and scorching heat.

Do you think Pepco is to blame for taking so long to restore to power to 100% of its users? Or is this just the unfortunate reality of a huge storm and living in an area with lots of trees and above ground wires?

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