quality of life

Friday Question of the Day – How Do You Decide if a Neighborhood is “Safe” to move to?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

My wife and I just put an offer in on a house in Brightwood and the offer was accepted. We’re going to be settling on the house in early May. I was just curious what you think of the neighborhood, if it’s safe, can you walk around at night and not worry about anything? Like I said, I hope this doesn’t sound too ignorant, I just have a lot of people saying, “what are you doing?” As for me and my wife, we are all about culture and mixing it up and getting to know everyone in any neighborhood we live. Currently we are in Dupont. I know it’s not nearly the same as Dupont as far as bars, restaurants, just being able to walk right out your door and get a coffee, etc… but is it “up and coming” in any way as far as retail and all goes? And more importantly, is it safe? Is there something I’m missing/not seeing? Because we don’t see any problems, but others are warning us for some reason. Saying a lot of drug dealing activity, etc…

This question comes up every month or so about a different section of the city. You can simply substitute Brightwood with Petworth, Columbia Heights, Hill East, SW Waterfront, H St, NE, Bloomingdale, Truxton Circle, Shaw, Mt. Vernon Square… My answer always remains the same. Everyone has their own comfort level.

The very first Dear PoP posted in Aug. 2007 addressed this issue. I standby what I wrote then:

“So how does one feel safe? Only you can answer that. Some people like to get a dog. Some have an alarm system. Some don’t walk the streets past a certain hour. But I really believe the best way to feel safe is to become a part of the community. Talk to all of your neighbors. Talk to people in the street. Attend community events. Street smarts are learned. If you are walking around late at night don’t have ear phones in, don’t talk on your cell phone, be aware of your surroundings and walk confidently. There are precautions to be taken but don’t obsess about it. It is important to find your own comfort level. By and large you are living in a safe and welcoming community. Enjoy it!”

In the almost 10 years I’ve lived in Petworth (knock wood, knock wood) I have not personally experienced any crime. Though I’ve seen and heard about plenty. In the nearly 10 years I’ve lived here the quality of life overall and retail options have increased. I expect they will continue to improve. If you had told me that something like Three Little Pigs would be in northern Petworth 10 years ago, I would’ve assumed you were high.

When I moved to Petworth most of my friends had never heard of Petworth and thought I was crazy. Hell, I had never heard of Petworth. I’m not saying I’ll live here forever but moving here was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. What I think is essential to feel that way, is to really like where you live right away. Because if you think things are gonna “change in 5 years” – well you’ll be miserable for 5 years or maybe longer. You should like where you are moving and if things are expected to improve in the future, well, even better. You just gotta recognize, as with life, there will always be ups and downs. The key is keeping things in perspective when the ups are way up and the downs are way down.

So, how did/do you guys determine if you feel safe in your neighborhood? How do you explain to your family and/or friends that you’re not moving to Baghdad? Did they think you were crazy when you first moved to your neighborhood. What are your tips for feeling, and more importantly, being safe in your neighborhood?

Metro launches anti-sexual harassment campaign

By Prince Of Petworth

From WMATA:

Metro is introducing a public awareness campaign to combat sexual harassment of customers while using the system.

The first phase of the campaign, launched today, includes an online portal for customers to report incidents to Metro Transit Police, along with improved data tracking of incidents. In addition, new customer awareness posters will soon be displayed in train stations and onboard buses and materials will be distributed across the system.

The online reporting tool, located at wmata.com/harassment, allows someone who feels they were sexually harassed to report the incident directly to Metro Transit Police using a web-based form. Information submitted through the web portal is immediately transmitted to Metro Transit Police for follow-up action, and people who report incidents have the option of remaining anonymous. Metro has also established an email address ([email protected]) to allow victims to send photo or video files to assist an investigation.

The new posters, flyers and handouts, developed in English and Spanish, are intended to raise awareness about the issue of sexual harassment in public spaces and encourage victims to report incidents to police. The award-winning campaign was created by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (Boston T), who agreed to license the campaign materials to Metro at no cost.

“This purpose of this outreach is to let people know that it’s not okay to sexually harass people on Metro,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “We are encouraging anyone who may be harassed to report the incident to Metro Transit Police, and we appreciate the support of the advocacy groups in getting our message out into the communities we serve.”

Dear PoPville – Are There Any Reliable Phone Numbers/Apps/Websites for Getting a Cab?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user available_photons

Dear PoPville,

I don’t drive, because I can’t drive, because I do not see well enough to drive. This has been true throughout my life and I’ve always accepted this as a fact of life. However not a day goes by when I spend more energy arranging transportation than I’m guessing most people do. And still my transportation is far less predictable, less convenient and yes less equal than most. Despite the generosity of others and the generosity of government subsidies I still find my choices in life constrained by my ability to get around. My choice of where to live, work, shop and socialize are determined more by my ability to get places than by any other factor.

From time to time I consider alternatives to my existing transportation options. Eleven years ago for example, I began using metroAccess, taxpayer subsidized transportation for people with disabilities. MetroAccess has served me well. But it’s not as convenient as I’d like, and it’s costly to the taxpayer. I’m thinking of an alternative but I don’t know how to go about making it happen.

I’d opt to use taxis more often, but calling a cab in DC is a real crap shoot. The day has to be sunny; the time of day has to be right and the neighborhood convenient to the taxi driver. Most cabs in DC are independently owned. So calling any one company, even Yellow Cab, reaches a tiny percentage of drivers. For example I live in Glover Park and work in Petworth. I’ve learned that taxi service by phone is nonexistent at both locations between 9:00 and Noon and between 2:00 and 4:00 PM on weekdays, weekend nights and anytime it rains. And we’re not talking NE or SE. These are affluent or central locations and still taxi service is unsatisfactory. People in the eastern half of the city must really have it bad.

I’ve actually had to resort to calling a Maryland or Virginia taxicab company to take me from DC, to their jurisdiction, and then turn around and drop me at my final destination in the city. Needless to say this is expensive and time consuming. I’m willing and able to pay for taxis out of pocket. I choose metroaccess instead because they are far more reliable than DC taxicabs.

Ideally I’d like one or two phone numbers I can call, a website I can goto or a smartphone app I can use to order taxi service. The two companies that come closest to providing this service are Diamond and Yellow. Yet these fall far short of my expectations. These include advanced booking, a taxi within 15 minutes of the scheduled pickup time and real time estimated time or arrival, cab location and identification. Better still all cabs should be required to participate.

I believe that a solution to this problem could be reasonably expected to provide adequate taxicab service to DC residents, increase business for cab drivers and cab companies and save taxpayers on services such as metroAccess. For me improved taxicab service would mean better choice and an improved quality of life.

It’d be nice, for all residents of the city, if the DC Taxi Commission would address this,. From what I’ve recently read the Commission may exclusively serve the hospitality industry.

I’m wondering if this problem could be fixed?

Freaky Visitor in Woodley Park

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I snapped this picture of a bat clinging to my bedroom window in Woodley Park yesterday afternoon. Is this normal for DC? Should bats be out during the day?

I poked at the screen from the inside, but instead of flying away the bat hissed at me and extended its wings. It wasn’t really causing any harm, so I let it be (i.e. my wife was convinced that if I kept poking at it, the screen would fall out, the bat would fly in, and we would both perish in a bat related incident). It stayed put for about 4 more hours, before flying off.

Maybe this would be worthy of an afternoon animal fix? There’s no rule that the animals have to be cute, right?

Anyone else ever see a bat in DC? In the daytime?

Dear PoPville – Apartment Flooded and Reeks – Grounds to Terminate Lease?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user djdc in petworth

Dear PoPville,

Had a bad flood in my apartment. The sewer burst and backed up into my living room and kitchen. It’s a mess and my roommate and I don’t think we can live there anymore (the landlord has been cheap on any repairs and has already said he won’t replace the carpet. He’ll just clean it, but there’s no unsmelling this smell.). Is this grounds to terminate our lease? We really would like to just move April 1st or immediately to avoid paying rent for a sewage-filled apartment.

Dear PoPville – How do I get my Neighbor to Stop Peeing Off his Porch?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

I live in a great neighborhood here in DC. All my neighbors are phenomenal except for one. The guy who lives next to me is friendly enough on the surface, but has the disgusting habit of pissing off his front porch, mostly in the dead of night. Sometimes it’s directly into my yard, sometimes the yard on the other side of him. Sometimes he’s “courteous” enough to keep it on his lawn. The guy clearly has some issues and I feel bad for him, but this has got to stop.

At first, we ignored it. Then, I tried talking about it with him without actually referring to what it was he’s doing. I’ve also learned to immediately walk out to my front porch whenever he heads out at night (this usually makes him scurry inside). Finally, the other night I was smoking a cigarette out on the front porch and he just walked out and quietly pissed into my yard with me sitting there. I lost it, yelled at him and then called the cops. By the time they got there he had gone back inside and they couldn’t do anything based solely on my word.

What the hell do I do now?

Dear PoPville – Is Outdoor Seating Getting Out of Control?

By Prince Of Petworth

Dear PoPville,

Now that spring is upon us, restaurants throughout DC are opening up their sidewalk seating. I’m all for outdoor eating (and seating), but it has to be set up in a rational way.
Presumably the restaurants have obtained permits to use X square feet of sidewalk space for outdoor seating. But i have a feeling these outdoor seating areas quickly become larger than authorized, or are configured in ways that block the entire sidewalk. For me, it’s a minor inconvenience to have to slow my pace and squeeze through a single file line to get through the sliver of open sidewalk that remains, along with other pedestrians. But for someone in a wheelchair, the scenario in the attached pic would mean crossing the street to continue. What is the cleaning lady pushing the rolling cart going to do? In fact, the guy in the blue shirt is actually just a pedestrian, not a restaurant customer. He walked straight through this table config at America Eats Tavern.

What’s the best way to officially voice concern about some of these out of control outdoor seating areas?

Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence Tonight

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Lauren PM

Thanks to all the folks who sent emails about this event. The march will meet in front of IHOP at 7pm tonight.

From the organizer’s Facebook page:

Welcome to the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence. We are gathering to bring awareness to an alarming rash of violent attacks upon members of our community.

We are marching in silence to allow our UNITY to be our voice. This march is not intended to be political, but rather one of compassion, and to honor our brothers and sisters who have been attacked. Our hopes are that politicians, activists, the media, and the police will ask themselves why these attacks have gone unresolved and what tools they have at their disposal to address and rectify these unsolved crimes.

Many in the GBLT community are wanting to voice our fear, our outrage, and our anger. This march has not been organized for that purpose. This march has been organized as a commitment to a safer city. We are here to let everyone know that we stand arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. For those that wish to express their anger vocally, we respectfully ask that you recognize that we will be there to amplify your voices at the place, time and forum of your choosing. We know that you will stand with us as we silently express our own hopes for this march.

In addition we are asking for the participants to place DUCT TAPE over their mouth to show the UNITY of this march. Duct tape will be provided if you choose to participate.

For those attending the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence we ask that you gather in front of the IHOP located 3100 14th Street , NW in observance of the gunshot victim who was attacked on March 11th. We will then continue in a silent and orderly fashion, south on Irving Street to Georgia Avenue. We will be stopping for a brief statement recalling the details of the second attack which happened at that location on March 12th , which, as of this date, has gone unsolved. We will continue our march to Florida and make a right turn, continuing up U street to 14th. We will walk down 14th St. and make a right turn on to R st. We will end at Cobalt on 17th and R St.

To those participating in the Silent March for Victims of GLBT Violence , we ask that you wear a solid colored T-shirt of your choice in recognition of the Rainbow flag. If you wish to carry a sign or write on your T-shirt, we ask that you simply put one word such as Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter, Neighbor, Husband, Wife, Boyfriend, Girlfriend , etc. to let everyone know exactly who is being attacked.

Again, thank you to all who wish to march and participate and what has already become an overwhelming response from the GLBT community, the media, and respected authorities. It shows that we are indeed being heard.

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