PSA

“Beware of snatch-and-grabs on Barracks Row”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr Caroline Angelo

“Dear PoPville,

Last night I was eating outside at a restaurant on Barracks Row. At around 9:30, the women at the table next to mine — in the next restaurant over — had an iPhone snatched from their table by someone running by on the sidewalk. It happened so fast, but a man chatting with the women (who we later were told was that restaurant’s manager) took off like lightning, chasing them down the street at a full clip. Before we left, the women told us he had actually caught them and that the police were there now (we did see two police vehicles drive down the block a few minutes after the incident). Well done on the manager’s part, for sure, but I mostly write this as a reminder so people will know to put away not only their purses and bags from easy reach, but also their phones.”

“About 3 weeks ago, my condo was robbed while both my roommate and I were home”

By Prince Of Petworth

USC Trojans O.J. Simpson 32 Red College Football Throwback Jersey

“Dear PoPville,

About 3 weeks ago, my condo was robbed while both my roommate and I were home. [2nd and V St, NW] They broke in through our front door and stole about $15k worth of items. As you’ll see from the below email that I sent to friends in my neighborhood (Bloomingdale/Shaw), the police believe the most distinctive quality is a red jersey one of the suspects wore. Red OJ Simpson throwback jersey with 32 written on it. They believe he and his ‘teammates’ are still in the area and encouraged me to tell as many people as possible.”

Hey guys-

I wanted to give a quick ‘neighborhood watch’ warning/update.

Just back from the police department where they showed me surveillance footage of the guys they suspect robbed our condo. I’m very glad we didn’t wake-up during the robbery…

Four big men, estimating between 6’0 – 6’4, African American, 30-50 years old. The one distinctive fact we all need to be on the lookout for is a red throwback OJ Simpson jersey with the number 32 written on it. He believes all live or are still in the area (thanks to a big group house bust a few weeks) and think he’ll be wearing it again. Police in the area are on the lookout for it and he said if any of us see it to call 911 immediately.

Heads Up Jaywalkers Getting Ticketed near Farragut North

By Prince Of Petworth

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“Dear PoPville,

A heads up to Farragut North-area pedestrians. 8 cops were at the Connecticut/K St intersection this morning handing out these flyers and issuing $20 tickets to pedestrians who crossed against the light. There’s a right turn lane from K onto Conn that’s usually empty or red, so everyone always crosses that regardless of the light — but today, at least, you could be out $20!”

Also another reader adds:

“Just a friendly heads up to the PoPville community– I just took the circulator to work and got off at Farragut North. There were at least 6 to 8 cops taking on the north corners of Connecticut handing out tickets to jaywalkers.

Good luck to all!”

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Erin

“Just a warning to all swimmers to lock up your possessions when you are at the pool and not make the same mistake I did!”

By Prince Of Petworth

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2500 Georgia Avenue, NW

Ed. Note: Just like when one’s car is broken into and we are reminded not leave any valuables (or anything really) visible – yes many people know this but some need a reminder – no need to berate the OP. It’s easy to get complacent from time to time and this is just a warning to remind others to be more vigilant. Thanks for understanding.

“Dear PoPville,

I was at the Banneker Pool on Georgia Avenue this past Sunday afternoon with a friend. A large group of kids, about high-school age came and sat next to us. My friend and I left our pool bags with purses inside them on our pool chairs while we swam. My friend left earlier than myself, and once I was in the locker room getting dressed to leave, I realized my purse was missing from my pool bag. I checked the spot where I was sitting, and it wasn’t there.

I reported the theft to the lifeguard who was working in the lost and found, and he said the bag hadn’t been turned in and he called the police for me. Just then the other lifeguard came out of the men’s locker room with my purse which had my keys and wallet inside, but the cash, credit cards, Smarttrip and cell phone were all gone. The police took the report but refused me a ride home, though I was stranded without money or a phone and my friend had already left. He said taking me home was out of his jurisdiction, which I understand but I was pretty upset about being robbed and about being stranded.

Just a warning to all swimmers to lock up your possessions when you are at the pool and not make the same mistake I did!

I want to thank the Banneker lifeguards who were very helpful and let me cancel my cards from their personal cell phones. Also thanks to the lady driving the H4 bus who let me ride home for free when I told her what happened.”

“So people – go right now – put a card with your phone number in your wallet and purse”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Lauren Parnell Marino

“Dear PoPville,

On Sat. morning I found a wallet in the Zipcar space beside my own parking space in the alley behind Irving St. Though stuffed full with cards, bits of paper, driver’s license, two credit cards and $600.00 in cash, there was no phone number for the owner.

My friends and I spent about 20 minutes playing Sherlock Holmes trying to track her down. There was a card with a work number, but just an answer machine on Sat. A Post-it with some scribbled numbers, (no answer or no one knew her.) Looked up the number for the apt. building listed on her driver’s license but there was no answer. Finally we called Capitol One and after much “press one for this, press two for that. . .” talked to a person and asked them to contact her.

She finally connected with us later that afternoon, after a whole morning of anxiety.

This is actually the third wallet I’ve found with no contact information for the owner! So people – go right now – put a card with your phone number in your wallet and purse.”

Heads Up When You Rent an Apartment at a “Discounted” Rate

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

“Dear PoPville,

I live in an Adams Morgan apartment recently bought and managed by UIP. When I toured the place last summer, I was quoted a rent of ~$2800. When I came to sign the lease, I was told the rent was actually ~$3200 but I’d be given concessions to the tune of ~$400. Being somewhat renter naive and in a hurry, I went ahead and signed the lease.

I was then more than a little embarrassed when someone pointed out at a tenants association meeting that if my base rent had actually been $2800, UIP would only be able to raise it by $98 as the legally allowed yearly increase (1.5% CPI + 2%). So, not only could UIP decide to simply stop giving me the concessions, effectively raising my rent by $400 a month, they *could* raise it another $112 ($3200 x 3.5%). My monthly payment could go from $2800 to $3312. Even if they don’t raise it that much, they can still raise it beyond the 3.5% simply by offering me less in concessions. Of course, I’ll move out before I’ll pay that much.

I felt a little less embarrassed when I discovered that several of my fellow tenants were in the same boat. I see people coming in all the time to look at vacant apartments and I want to warn them. To all those looking to rent in DC, please be aware of the ramifications of rent concessions!”

Beware of Chicken Bones When Walking Your Dog

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Rob

“Dear PoPville,

I’d like to take a moment to share a warning with you that I thought perhaps you could pass on to the Shaw pet owner community. I regularly walk my dog down 7th street, and usually, it is without incident. However, Friday night my dog unfortunately came upon a chicken bone that had been discarded on the sidewalk (between P and O) and managed to swallow it before I had the chance to pry it from him. Although dogs are often depicted happily gnawing on bones, cooked bones can easily splinter and cause internal bleeding or gastrointestinal distress if it causes a blockage. These chicken wing ones in particular are distressing because they can generally be swallowed but may be too large to pass. If you’re lucky, your dog will be able to digest it and escape the experience without harm. At the other end, your dog could potentially die from internal injuries or even choke on the bone as he tries to swallow it.

In my case, it was dark outside, so I didn’t notice the bone before my dog picked it up, and on top of that I wasn’t aware that I should be on the lookout for this life-threatening item on the sidewalk – especially since there was a trashcan 4 steps away. I have seen the bones before, but the last time was several months ago, so it wasn’t fresh on my mind. And my dog almost paid the ultimate price for that. Which is why I am reaching out to you – I thought my fellow Shaw residents should be aware so that they can be on the lookout themselves and avoid the panic and potential harm to their fur baby. My dog has been throwing up all morning and extremely lethargic as a result of this incident. I’ve been on the phone with the emergency vet several times and was just about to take him in when he at last threw up the piece of bone he had eaten the night before. Someone else might not be so lucky.

Just wanted to share.”

Dog Poop PSA Vol.149

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Phil

“Dear PoPville,

Dog owners seem to consider it perfectly normal to dump their dog’s poop bags in other people’s trash can. I hate to break this to them but dog poop bags explode when you put stuff on top of them (like trash bags for instance or trash in general). Not to mention the fact that many people do not even bother to close the bag in which they have just picked up the warm present left by their dogs. In the end, more often than not, the owner of the trash can will end up with poop spread all over his can. Have you noticed how tall the cans are? Do you realize how pleasant an experience it is to crawl into one to brush the shit out? Oh, and the smell of over-cooked dog poop at the end of the day when you open the can is too lovely to describe.

I appreciate the fact that people scoop the poop, but could you please consider dumping them in public open air trash cans?”

Rough Pet Week Cont. “Don’t Lock Your Dog in a Car”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Rob

“Dear PoPville,

I live on T and 15th and while walking my dog I saw a dog locked in a car near 14th and T with only one window slightly cracked. Although it was overcast, It was 77 degrees outside. The dog was still in the car 15 minutes later when I came back that way. Thankfully we walked by again and the car was gone.

Now that its getting hotter, I’m hoping you can put something on the blog about this! It takes only a very short time for a dog (or child for that matter) to pass out from heat exhaustion or die. Even with the window cracked, it’s gets very very hot inside the car.

People are encouraged to try and find the owner and if they cannot to call the police. Here’s more info about dogs in hot cars from the humane society.”

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