Explosion of Graffiti in our Neighborhood

The number of tags in our neighborhood has at least tripled in the last month.   I assumed that owners would quickly clean this mess from their properties, but instead this vandalism has remained.  By its very presence, it attracts more graffiti and fosters an environment comfortable for criminals.  Something must be done about this disturbing trend.  Not only do the taggers need to be caught but also the city needs to press property owners to clean up tagging on their property.

527 Irving St NW

709 Irving St NW

633 Irving St NW

 4. 3101 Georgia Avenue NW

3101 Georgia Avenue NW

703 Irving St NW

709 Irving St NW

700 block of Irving at Bruce Monroe Park

3101 Sherman on corner of Irving.  Tags are on back of building.

Last house on 700 block of Irving St NW

Last house on the 700 block of Irving St NW

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Couches dumped; Mattresses from weeks ago remain

Two couches, pillows, a lawnmower, a child's four-wheeler were dumped in our alley today.   I can only hope a resident put these out for bulk pick up and didn't attach a sign.  If not, that is the third instance of bulk items being dumped in our alley in the last two weeks.  If you check out the picture below, you can still see the other two mattresses in the background from two weeks ago!  We reported these twice to DC311, but they nevertheless remain in the alley.  Maybe the cat with the evil eyes in the photo was behind this latest offense....

If only we could figure out some way to profit from the dumping and trash!  I heard a story on NPR about a city in Maryland that burned its trash for energy.  Humm, maybe they are on to something here...smoke has never harmed anyone, right?

Dumping after the snow storm

There was more dumping in our alley last week. Four mattresses, drywall, carpet samples, and other items were left in two different locations in our alley.  DPW has picked up two of the mattresses and a dresser, but the other two mattresses, a bed frame, and the construction items remain behind 426 Kenyon.   This was reported for the second time to DPW.  The confirmation number is 11-00034302.  DPW has been delayed in picking this up reportedly because of the snow storm last week.

 

August-Sept Trash Montage

 

 

  To make up for my lack of blog postings over the summer, I will be posting groups of pictures from June to September.  With the help of DPW and the Green Team, we were able to make a dent in the frequency of dumping in our alley.  Though you may not realize it from these pictures, this situation is far better than what we faced two years ago.

Alley Block Party

  Our second annual block party on October 9 did not disappoint!  We had fried fish, homemade french fries, grilled chicken, turkey dogs, sliders and an array of desserts including dirty girl scout cookies and pumpkin cream cheese cupcakes.  Yumm.  Thanks to Jamie for DJing the event and even taking my Motown requests. 

Like last year, this was a great time to get to know some of the new residents and people who came from other blocks.  I would estimate we probably had 45 people in attendance--including the Green Team.  We love them and were so happy that they could attend. 

 

November Sweeps

 The vacant lot in the middle of our alley (3049 0081 or 3100 Park Place NW)  has been the center of illegal dumping, rat infestation, drug dealing, and breeding ground for mosquitoes for at least a decade.  It's remarkable how one blighted property can bring down a neighborhood.  Between 2005-2008, it housed a pile of cement rubble that served as a rat fortress and also as a junkyard for abandoned cars.

This was the lot in June of 2009 before we cleaned it

This is the type of decay the lot breeds.  The piles of dumping and the furniture were used by drug dealers as stash spots.

Part of the contents of three purses we found dumped by the lot this past summer

Dumped construction debris adjacent to the lot

Dime bag in the lot.  We've found many of these as well as a handful of used needles

Another dime bag

The state of the lot has created an environment that fosters decay and dumping not only inside the lot but in the adjacent public spaces. Even many of the neighbors have taken to putting their trashcans on the perimeter of the lot--who is going to say anything to them?  The previous owner lived in Ft. Washington, MD and never visited the property and allowed the weeds to grow literally into trees.  In fact, the weeds were so bad in 2009 that one of the neighbors had to use a machete to chop them down.  The new owner lives in Falls Church, so we'll see if he'll be met with the same fines for neglect as the previous one.  One thing is for sure:  we are not going to let our neighborhood go back to its previous state because of this vacant lot.

Check out how high that grass is.  I believe this picture was taken in March.

Dumping adjacent to the lot

Dumping next to the lot

Dumping adjacent to the lot

As the pictures show, we have quite a challenge on our hands.  With our diligence and the support of CM Graham, DPW Director Howland and Inspector Mines, the Green Team, DCRA, and the beloved Green Team, we've made some headway over the past two years.  We know that this is an unending effort and the moment we turn our back, the problems will return.  We refuse to let that happen.

A member of the Green Team helping clean our alley this summer

Some Members of the Park View Beautification Crew

Outdoor Room For Rent