Check out this link for fake security camera's with blinking light and motion detector (etc) for around $10. I really hope that putting these around our alleys may offer inexpensive relief.
But, I also want to get real portable cameras to be shared by the community--being set in places temporarily for immediate need --crime houses, dumping areas, etc. The real cameras requires taking up a collection from people--those that contribute to the cost, get some priority for use. When other community members contact me due to problems with crime etc, I could ask them for a donation toward the cameras and then offer their use to them. When not being used by a community member, I would set up "dummy" bikes etc in my alley to capture local crooks (I always wanted to do this). Anyway, it would also require setting up some basic rules for use and using any extra collected money for replacement, fixing, etc--which I would try to take care of.
A colleque of mine just rigged his home with cameras for $500 and it records anytime there is movement and sends notice to his phone whenever there is activity with live video. Don't know if this style would suite our mobile needs, but it gave me a ball-park idea of the cost and capabilities. In the last week alone, he caught his neighbor messing around on his property 3 times and the cops made reports each time.
Mark
Subject: Re: [BloomingdaleActionList] Keeping Bloomingdale Court clean
To: bloomingdaleactionlist@googlegroups.com
From: jacorea@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:13:22 +0000
Hi All,
Andy, Betsy's note reminded me that I meant to get back to you on this. Having lived adjacent to Crispus Attucks Park for 9+ years, this is all painfully familiar. One measure that seems to have some effect is motion activated spotlights behind people's houses, though that might just move the dumping down a few houses unless you have enough to cover the entire alley (e.g., maybe every 2-3 houses?). We used to have some No Dumping signs around the park, but I can't say I noticed any correlation with the amount of dumping. It's definitely true that as the park and surrounding alleys became progressively nicer, the frequency of nuisances such as illegal dumping declined. The combination of motion activated lights, signs that threaten penalties (or even warn of surveillance cameras, even if no cameras exist), and some beautification efforts (which would send the message that someone cares and is watching) could be pretty effective.
One other thought. There's one group of people who walk through the neighborhood on a regular basis even when it's dark or bad weather: dog owners walking their dogs. Anything you can do to increase foot traffic, especially dog owners, through your little alley-street could help. Not sure what that would be though.
My 2 cents, if it's useful. Good luck!
John
Betsy,
We post them by request in hopes that it will deter the illegal activity. DDOT (Transportation) is responsible for signage in the District, If you would like to request such a sign, please call 311 (202-737-4404).
But, I also want to get real portable cameras to be shared by the community--being set in places temporarily for immediate need --crime houses, dumping areas, etc. The real cameras requires taking up a collection from people--those that contribute to the cost, get some priority for use. When other community members contact me due to problems with crime etc, I could ask them for a donation toward the cameras and then offer their use to them. When not being used by a community member, I would set up "dummy" bikes etc in my alley to capture local crooks (I always wanted to do this). Anyway, it would also require setting up some basic rules for use and using any extra collected money for replacement, fixing, etc--which I would try to take care of.
A colleque of mine just rigged his home with cameras for $500 and it records anytime there is movement and sends notice to his phone whenever there is activity with live video. Don't know if this style would suite our mobile needs, but it gave me a ball-park idea of the cost and capabilities. In the last week alone, he caught his neighbor messing around on his property 3 times and the cops made reports each time.
Mark
Subject: Re: [BloomingdaleActionList] Keeping Bloomingdale Court clean
To: bloomingdaleactionlist@googlegroups.com
From: jacorea@gmail.com
Date: Thu, 28 Jun 2012 04:13:22 +0000
Hi All,
Andy, Betsy's note reminded me that I meant to get back to you on this. Having lived adjacent to Crispus Attucks Park for 9+ years, this is all painfully familiar. One measure that seems to have some effect is motion activated spotlights behind people's houses, though that might just move the dumping down a few houses unless you have enough to cover the entire alley (e.g., maybe every 2-3 houses?). We used to have some No Dumping signs around the park, but I can't say I noticed any correlation with the amount of dumping. It's definitely true that as the park and surrounding alleys became progressively nicer, the frequency of nuisances such as illegal dumping declined. The combination of motion activated lights, signs that threaten penalties (or even warn of surveillance cameras, even if no cameras exist), and some beautification efforts (which would send the message that someone cares and is watching) could be pretty effective.
One other thought. There's one group of people who walk through the neighborhood on a regular basis even when it's dark or bad weather: dog owners walking their dogs. Anything you can do to increase foot traffic, especially dog owners, through your little alley-street could help. Not sure what that would be though.
My 2 cents, if it's useful. Good luck!
John
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
From: Betsy McDaniel <bloomingdame@gmail.com>
Sender: bloomingdaleactionlist@googlegroups.com
Date: Wed, 27 Jun 2012 14:00:24 -0400
To: <bloomingdaleactionlist@googlegroups.com>
ReplyTo: bloomingdaleactionlist@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [BloomingdaleActionList] Keeping Bloomingdale Court clean
| Andy - and anyone else Sharing some of the questions from the live chat today. If you want to see the whole chat, you can find it on the DPW site. Note, they didn't really answer my question - trying to get their feel on Scott's comment that signs might lead to more dumping. Comment From Betsy Neighbors in Bloomingdale Court NW are having a problem with dumping and trash and wonder if posting signs would help, or as some suggest, exacerbate the problem. What has been your experience with the effectiveness of signs? |
We post them by request in hopes that it will deter the illegal activity. DDOT (Transportation) is responsible for signage in the District, If you would like to request such a sign, please call 311 (202-737-4404).
Other numbers from chat -
Rapid Response Team number is 202-576-9191. (number was suggested in response to someone who said they made repeated calls to 311 about the same spot)
To have the Supercan repaired, call 311 (202-737-4404).
A question that you did not voice, but fyi
 |
| 12:54 | Jason, DPW cannot pick up trash on private property; however, DCRA will inspect and cite if appropriate. |
| Other info from chat What You Can Do to Help: Contact DPW's Helping Hand program to organize a neighborhood clean-up project. Helping Hand will loan brooms, rakes and shovels, provide trash bags and even schedule a special trash collection for your project. To receive an application for a Helping Hand tool kit for your neighborhood clean-up project, please call the 311 (202-737-4404). When the clean-up date is confirmed by a Helping Hand Coordinator, a control number will be assigned for tracking purposes, the event will be added to the Helping Hand calendar, and the tool kit will be delivered. Call 311 (202-737-4404) to report illegal dumping. |
| 1:35 | To report a vacant building, contact DCRA at 202-442-4332 or email vacantbuildings@dc.gov |
On Wed, Jun 13, 2012 at 12:54 PM, Andy Cassell <andybcassell@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi all:Just wanted to send a note to get some thoughts and opinions on what could/can be done to help keep Bloomingdale Court clean. While it has been great to have our own new street names and signage posted in the right places, there are folks that just aren't appreciating it as a true street. Being an alley-street seems to bring with it several dirty obstacles.
- There are folks using the court for bulk trash dumping in several areas. Residents have called and the city does make it's way to pick it up, but it happens a lot of the time. The area that is especially bad is right behind 2026 First St NW. People just use it for a lot of trash and it gets very gross.
- Since most of the residents of B'dale Court and the houses that touch the Court in some way put their trash and recycling receptacles out in the court for trash day - it always is a trash/glass mess after the city comes through. For example, just today, one recycling receptacle overturned and spilled its contents - they city folks just bypassed it and didn't pick up one thing. Ugh. I hear things falling and shattering on occasion and you have to get out there and sweep it up on a pretty regular basis.
- A lot of weeds grow in/around the court. Can we spray them and kill them? Is that appropriate?
I would like to get some thoughts and opinions on how we can come together and possibly deter the bulk trash dumping and help the city keep the street clean.Could we put up our own plants/shubs in places where the dumping occurs? Could we hang up art? Could we put up signs that say NO DUMPING YOUR TRASH here? What are the options?It seems that the court will possibly get cleaned up and repaved sometime in FY 2013, but it is a tentative project as far as I know. Once that is done, I really hope it will help with the appearance and create a deterrent effect to prevent trash, etc.Thanks for your thoughts.Andy CassellResident of Bloomingdale Court
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