PSA

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.”

Important Slush Puppie Alert

By Prince Of Petworth

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Now that we’ve hit 80 degree days, here’s an important reminder that the slush puppie machine in the gas station at 15th and U St, NW is back in action. But God dang it they swapped Blue Raspberry for Mango.

Ed. Note: The Mango was pretty decent.

“He got in once by dialing up random numbers on the call box and the other time when he followed someone that was coming in”

By Prince Of Petworth

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Security Camera Footage of Alleged bike and package thief in Mount Pleasant

A reader reports:

“I live in the Argyle at Mt. Pleasant and Park Road and a few days ago (4/29) a dude stole some bikes and packages from our basement. He got in once by dialing up random numbers on the call box and the other time when he followed someone that was coming in. Apparently he’s on camera across the street at the Park Ridge recently stealing packages as well.

Someone in the building did see him after we circulated the photos, so he seems to be a local or at least spends significant time in the neighborhood.

Obviously I don’t expect any return on the stolen items but if people keep an eye out, maybe they can prevent their own stuff from being snatched by him, since he’s making a habit of it.”

Don’t Be This Guy

By Prince Of Petworth

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A reader writes in:

“15th street bike lane.

This picture was taken Sunday afternoon about 3pm. I know moving is not easy but blocking the bike lane seems a pretty unfair.”

Reminder: MPD posts monthly photos of recovered property including bikes, electronics etc.

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo via MPD Lost and Found: Recovered Property

A reader writes:

“I am quite sure this has been covered on the blog but just looked at the MPD lost and found photos, there are many many bicycles and laptops shown.”

The Metropolitan Police Department recovers hundreds of stolen and abandoned bicycles every year. This property is inventoried by the MPD’s Evidence Control Division. Property not claimed within 90 days of recovery is considered abandoned. The MPD will advertise this property as abandoned and may dispose of any property not claimed within the designated timeframe. Bicycles not claimed may be auctioned through www.govdeals.com or donated. Before the recovered bicycles are auctioned or donated, images will be posted online.

The Property Clerk of the Metropolitan Police Department hereby gives notice of the custody of the following property and his intention to sell or otherwise dispose of such property in accordance with the District of Columbia’s code 5-119.

Any person or entity having a right of claim to any item of property pictured online must appear in person to:

Evidence Control Division
# 17 DC Village Lane, SW
Washington, DC 20032
(202) 727-3230

To claim property pictured on this site, individuals must provide the MPD’s Evidence Control Division with the following information:

Government Identification
Bar code included with the bicycle image
Proof of ownership of bicycle OR documentation that a police report was filed (CCN)

“A detective called today and told me they’ve seen a big increase in burglaries in the area”

By Prince Of Petworth

“Dear PoPville,

I just wanted to send a note that there has apparently been a string of daytime burglaries on and around Maryland Ave NE. My neighbor’s house at Maryland & 11th NE was broken into during the day last week. That same day around noon a man knocked on my door asking for someone who doesn’t live here. A detective called today and told me they’ve seen a big increase in burglaries in the area, with the burglars becoming more “brazen” and that it’s a common tactic for them to knock on the door to see if anyone is home first.”

Heads Up – 2 Hour Parking Limit Enforced Even If Parking App Let’s You Add More Time

By Prince Of Petworth

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Photo by PoPville flickr user Katie Yaeger Rotramel

“Dear PoPville,

DC has parking time limits in many areas, but the ParkMobile app keeps letting you pay. Unfortunately, this resulted in a ticket. Sketchy on my part, perhaps, but I do find it ridiculous that the city continued to take my money through the app only to ticket me. I protested the ticket but lost and will pay it, since I’m a decent citizen (I guess), but frankly I see a serious problem here. Either the app can alert you that you can’t stay in the zone, or a ticket is unfair — can’t have it both ways.

Perhaps others have had a similar experience.

Update:

I heard back from ParkMobile; I emailed them explaining the situation and this is what they had to say when explaining that the app keeps allowing you to extend your time and pay: “Our zones are configured in the way DC dictates and they haven’t asked us to restrict parking for this regulation.” It seems the app has the technology…but DC chooses not to use it, I’m sure for their benefit.”

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