quality of life

Dear PoPville – Getting Public Garbage Cans with ANC Help

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

In continuation of the dialogue around litter control, in attempts to curb ongoing littering in our neighborhood (Fort Totten Metro), my boyfriend and I have tried to contact our ANC commissioner re: installation of more garbage cans. We have been thus far, unsuccessful in reaching her. I was curious if PoPville had any insight as to:

a) how one to reach their ANC commissioner
b) enacting change without the assistance of an ANC Commissioner
c) could a private citizen, in theory set up trash cans on their property for community use?

Thank you!”

You can find your ANC Rep here.

Dear PoP – Are there littering laws in DC?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user District Shots

“Dear PoP,

I recently moved to Washington, DC and am living in Columbia Heights. When I arrived here, I adopted a rescue dog from a shelter. I have noticed that when I walk her around many of the neighborhoods in DC, I constantly find her sniffing out and finding chicken bones that people have thrown out in garden beds, on sidewalks, and around trees on the side of the street. This is a huge problem for all dogs and dog owners, as chicken bones can splinter in dogs’ mouths and throats. This can cause severe bleeding, choking, and other dangerous health problems for dogs. What can we do to raise awareness of this problem? What are the local rules about littering here in DC?”

A new pilot program launched this spring but it is likely to early to tell if it has had any impact. Unfortunately this is a nuisance that we’ve battled for years and are likely to continue to battle for years.

Neighbors Having Serious Problems With Mood Lounge in Shaw

By Prince Of Petworth

A reader shares a letter and some follow up re: Mood Lounge located at 1318 9th St, NW (in the former Be-Bar space):

Councilmember Evans,

Does the MOOD Lounge have permission to operate on Sunday through Thursday nights? Because their website indicates they are only open on Friday and Saturday nights, and these are the only two nights of the week we as neighbors are subjected to torture on a regular basis…. I know this is not standard for them (as they have not operated on these nights in the past), but tonight is a Thursday night (a work-week night, for those of us in the surrounding neighborhood…) and the music is blasting, the patrons are lined up out front (and I took pictures) and they are operating as any other nightclub that is not in a residential neighborhood.

I’m really beginning to lose my patience with this operation and with the complete inaction by local government officials to address this problem…. I know that in other neighborhoods I have lived in that the City Councilmember wouldn’t put up with this.

Councilmember Evans – HOW WILL YOU FIX THIS??? As a citizen in your ward, I rely on you to handle issues like this in this neighborhood that affect the quality of life for your citizens. PLEASE RESOLVE THIS ISSUE – either by closing this nightclub in a residential neighborhood permanently or by forcing them to abide by the Voluntary Agreement that they accepted when they obtained the rights to this club (which, for the record, as a new operator, should have been renegotiated with the local residents).

Furthermore, I want to encourage you, as a sleepless resident, to introduce legislation (which if you don’t have time to write, I am happy to write on your behalf since I cannot sleep and have nothing better to do with my time…) that invalidates any prior ABRA license and VA for any new owner or lessee of a property which previously held one in the District. Furthermore, I am happy to introduce legislation that bars ABRA from granting CT or CN licenses within 300 feet of a residence, as such licenses are incompatible by definition with a neighboring residential community. I am confident I can validate this concern through a petition of residents in your ward.

Time after time, future owners have presented issues in every Ward that were not anticipated (and therefore legislated against or fought in a prior VA) with prior owners of said license. You may be sleeping soundly when this email is sent, but I am not. And that is a problem. As my City Councilmember, I am asking you why I cannot get a resolution to an ongoing problem with noise complaints, drug sales, prostitution, and loitering from a nuisance bar that is 75 feet away from my home. An answer to myself and all CC’d on this email would be appreciated. If the shortcoming is in the law, I would appreciate a civics lesson in how as a citizen I can improve the relevant laws to increase the quality of life in my own neighborhood. If the shortcomings are in the enforcement of the existing laws, I would appreciate an answer about why the Councilmember we voted to keep in this position cannot resolve a simple ABRA issue relating to REPEATED BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW.

Why is it every single time I overstay my meter by 60 seconds I get a ticket from the parking authority (and have to pay the fine or get booted) and yet this business repeatedly throws up the middle finger at city hall and gets away with it???? Double Standard???

Responses after the jump. (more…)

Brutal

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoP,

What’s the protocol for traffic stops? This police officer blocked an exit with this traffic stop in Georgetown in front of 2208 wisconsin ave. We had to call 311 to call the district office to ask her to move after the officer refused to move up when we asked her nicely. The 2nd district and 1st district offices could not decide whose jurisdiction it was when we called 311 to ask for assistance!

We were in a Georgetown university GUTS bus and there were 10 cars behind us. It took 30 mins to get through.”

Anyone ever experience a situation like this? Unless there was a fear that the driver was a threat, seems like the right thing to do would’ve been to just have the car move up 5 feet.

Human-sized bed bug and Purdue University entomologist at U St, NW, Columbia Heights and Gallery Place Metros on Thurs.

By Prince Of Petworth

From an email:

Thursday, June 9
7:30-9:30 a.m.
Columbia Heights Metro (14th St and Irving St NW)

10:00 a.m. – noon
Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro (7th St and H St NW)

1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
U Street Metro (13th and U St NW)

Dr. Gibb, an entomologist, has been studying bed bugs for years and can discuss their habits, how they work, and identifying an infestation. (He has tips like putting your suitcase in the bathtub, checking behind headboard for bugs, how to check mattresses and sofas, etc.)

What is Coffee House Etiquette? Talking or No Talking?

By Prince Of Petworth

A couple of weeks ago I was at a coffee house and a friend of mine was shushed for talking. I’ve since asked a few people and they’ve recalled similar instances and/or they felt uncomfortable talking because so many people were working/studying. Now I’m not talking about screaming – just talking with a normal inside voice.

This has been bothering me for a while so I’m curious what you guys think – because so many people now work or study in coffee houses (especially during the day) is the common etiquette now comparable to a library? Has anyone else noticed that coffee house etiquette has changed so that it now resembles that of a library? Are there specific coffee shops that cater more for those seeking quiet?


Dear PoP – Sexual Harassment on the Bus, Encouraged by the Driver

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user dcienne

“Dear PoP,

I got on the 96 bus heading West at U Street NW and 11 Street NW on Saturday, June 4, just before midnight. It was bus number 4299. I didn’t get the driver’s name, but she was a black woman.

As I got on, I noticed the bus driver and a few other passengers yelling insults at a woman getting off the bus, who was visibly upset. I’ve seen a lot of confrontations on DC buses, so I wasn’t paying too much attention at first and don’t remember exactly what was said. It was clear, however, that the bus driver and two or three passengers sitting at the front of the bus (two men and a woman) were ganging up on her in their insults.

When the bus started moving, very slowly given the U Street traffic, I soon realized that the two men who had been yelling at the woman were continuously sticking their heads out the window and yelling remarks at women who were walking by on U Street and comment about their clothing and body types. Some of the women ignored them, while at least one yelled back and told them to stop.

The worst part was that the bus driver was actively encouraging the men and laughing at the remarks. The situation made me extremely uncomfortable and I didn’t know what to do. After 2-3 minutes, I yelled at one of the men to show some respect, immediately signaled to get off, got off at 14th street and walked the rest of the way to my destination. While I was walking, the bus passed and I observed the men continue to yell remarks at passing women.

It is one thing to observe this kind of harassment–it is another to have a Metro employee encourage the behavior while on the job. It was extremely unprofessional and I demand that Metro identify the employee and take disciplinary action against her. Washington DC’s women deserve better while riding on public transit.”

At the very least, it certainly sounds like some sort of sensitivity training would be beneficial. Obviously encouraging these remarks is reprehensible but what do you think should be the actions/obligations of the driver in situations like this? What would you do as a passenger in a situation like this?

Bloomberg News: Dating in DC an ‘Intellectual Meat Market’

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user Blinkofanaye

Thanks to a reader for sending the Bloomberg Article ‘Intellectual Meat Market’ Makes Washington Long Odds for Single Women:

Christy McConville has some advice for women in Washington who are frustrated with the dating scene in the nation’s capital: Leave town.

For women like McConville, it’s not just the fixation on work, it’s the odds: Washington has the highest ratio of women to men compared with all 50 states — 112 females for every 100 males, Census Bureau figures show. Among residents between ages 20 and 39 in the city of 601,723, women outnumber men by 13,716, up from about 6,000 a decade ago, according to census data.

For those who have lived in other cities – does it seem harder to date in DC?

Dear PoPville – More Loitering/Quality of Life Concerns

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user maria jpeg

“Dear PoP,

I have been having a lot of trouble with a rowdy group of group of teens and 20-year-olds hanging out on my front lawn in Park View. Though I would not mind it THAT much if they were simply hanging out, a lot of their behavior is a disruption not only to my house but to most of the block. Their activities include selling/smoking pot, drinking then throwing empty deuces on my lawn, really loud verbal confrontation, blasting music from their cars late into the night, leaving containers of half eaten take-out on my walkway and general ruckusness.

I have called police non emergency but per usual with that number leads nowhere. Neighborhood cops come by to break them up but they come back a few hours later. I have even tried talking with them and it seems to go in one ear and out the other. They are never nasty and are sometimes even apologize to me when I ask them to leave but the next day they are back. During the winter months this would really only happen on the weekends but now that the weather is nice they are more or less there all day everyday.

Is it over kill to call 911? I have talked to police about the problem and they knew all about them before I even mentioned my address. Apparently they have claimed my lawn and sidewalk as their “spot” years ago before i moved in.”

This is such a frustrating situation. We had a recent discussion about a reader who wondered if he could resolve a similiar situation without being “that guy”. Many will be quick to tell you to move. I think people who dismiss these complaints have never really experienced it. It’s easy to say suck it up when you are not woken up at all hours etc. It’s particularly troubling that this behavior is occurring on your property. I’m afraid, if illegal activities are ongoing and it is disturbing your quality of life and the quality of life of your neighbors then you should call 911. It’s a shitty situation and it sucks doing it but if you spoke to the group and they keep returning then the situation will not resolve itself. Sadly, if the police come the behavior will likely just move to a different nearby location but I say you do what you gotta do.

Ed. Note: See other people still use the term ruckus as well…

Dear PoPville – Did I get a Job Offer from a Pimp?

By Prince Of Petworth


Photo by PoPville flickr user HoodSweatsh

“Dear PoP,

Last night we were sitting on our porch, having cocktails and enjoying the evening. Around 9pm or so the dogs needed a walk, so while my other half took care of business, I made a quick phone call. Some guy I’ve never seen around the neighborhood came up to our gate and motioned for me to come down. I just asked him from the porch what he needed. He motioned again, I asked again. He asked if I was “Spanish,” then if I speak Spanish, and told me he needed a translator. I let him know my Spanish is okay but I’m not fluent and referred him to my neighbor two doors down who is bilingual, and was sitting on his porch.

Then the guy started in with “you a sexy woman.” Then moved on to tell me he owns his own business and asked what kind of work I do. I asked why he wanted to know. He asked again. Told him I own my own business too and I work downtown. He asked what KIND of work I do. I told him I was busy and on the phone with an 80 year old lady, asked him if he needed something, etc. Then he started asking for my number, over and over, because “you a sexy woman and I need your number.” Told him I’m not giving him my number, my husband just took the dogs for a quick walk, and I’m on the phone so I’m busy and don’t have time for this. He had his phone out, trying to add my number, asking me “it’s 202?” I told him again, firmly, that I was busy, my husband was walking our two dogs, and I did not have time for this. He takes out his wallet and starts thumbing through some bills and AGAIN asks me what kind of work I do–then tells me “I own my own business, and I know you need some extra money.” I told him I don’t, I have a job, I’m doing just fine, thank you very much. My question is–DID I GET A JOB OFFER FROM A PIMP??”

I think there is a certain point where you should probably just stop talking to him. And if it gets too uncomfortable just walk inside your house for a minute until he goes away. If you feel threatened don’t hesitate to call the police either. So what do you guys think – was this guy just an asshole or a straight up pimp? How would you recommend the OP deal with the situation should it happen again?

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