Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Inge Mallory on August 28, 2010 at 10:31am

It doesn't just happen on weekends Mark. Our back yard ends at the Rite Aid parking lot that is used by bar patrons and others meeting late at night. The car lights shining in my bedroom window, the loud car radios and the loud conversations behind the store all add up to a poor nights sleep all week long. There was a time when Rite Aid locked their lot at night and it was peaceful but that was short lived. You're right calling the police has no effect or results in retaliation.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Inge Mallory on August 29, 2010 at 12:13pm

Sheri,
Thanks for your reply. Not only do they throw trash around but there is always broken glass early in the mornings when I walk by.
It appears if you are bold enough you can do what ever you want and it establishes a new precedent. Like driving on or blocking other peoples property and parking so you block driveways or the sidewalk. I've been late for work a couple of times in the morning because friends of my neighbors see nothing wrong with parking in front of my driveway. Another one of my favorites is parking on both sides of the street so cars and school busses can't go through.
Other than calling 911 who don't make these issues a priority what else can be done??? Calling 311 I have fond is totally useless.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on August 28, 2010 at 8:36pm

I have been told that enforcing noise ordinances is not a priority. It certainly affects quality of life, though. I can understand that if there is a shooting, a robbery, a car accident, that yes those are priorities. It appears there is no way anything different will happen.

What does this suggest? We need additional enforcement personnel? A few that are tasked to such problems? An examination of the City's response? We have seen the response from City council --- suspend the laws. Too much trouble to enforce with limited personnel. It is frustrating and unfortunate, but seems to be reality.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on August 30, 2010 at 9:24am

I think that we need leaders and law enforcement who understand that the so-called nuisance crimes are symptoms of a larger problem. In my experience, some of the 'nuisance' people or properties on MY street are also connected to significant crimimal behavior. The small green car thst speeds down my street and others is involvrd in car to cr drug dealing. The noisy house down the street houses a woman who was arrested for an out of town larceny and high speed chase last summer.
Thurston continues to be a mess and is an obvious attraction for guns, drugs and other illegal activity. The moratorium on points for bars was initiated by SW councilman, McFadden. Given that the bar issue has come up in the Thurston streetwatch meetings as a very significant concern i can only shake my head and wonder WHY he would propose a loosening of the rules...... If anyone has more details re: this, i would be interested in understanding the background and intent.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on September 1, 2010 at 10:00pm

Margy,
Once again, you have hit the nail on the head. Had not occured to me before, but is absolutely true. The nuisance crimes ARE symptoms of a larger problem, in that the same people are those who contribute to more serious crime. I can verify that one house on my street that has loud, booming obnoxious noise coming from cars in front of or in their driveway are dealing drugs. This is a house that I have called 911 for noise complaints, and they do not respond.

The moratorium on points for bars initiated by A. McFadden is another matter, which seems to defy common sense. If there was a reason for it, I think it was because it discriminated against somebody ? or some people? as it was not being enforced in other areas. That is all I recall.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Sweetland on September 7, 2010 at 2:48am

I would think SW councilman McFadden reads this site to see what his constituents think. Imagined he may have responded. Guess not. He initiated the moritorium on points for bars, etc, and I would like to know what the result of that action has been, and why it was taken.

What alternative plan has he come up with to deal with problems at bars and late-night clubs, if he has eliminated this one, with no further communication to the community?

I would suggest if re-election is a question, vote no. Find someone who supports our concerns.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Margy Meath on September 7, 2010 at 3:16pm

Councilman McFadden participated very briefly in this forum around the same time that the "Thurston Street Watch" program was initiated but I have not seen any participation since then..... nor have i seen this site used to its fullest potential by people who have an interest in the 19th ward.
This is not the only place to get/share information but it is a very GOOD place. I continue to hear concerns related to communication and information flow - this site has the capacity to share information, post information, etc but it's not used to its full potential.

• ▶ Reply