So today I decided to check up on my blog "The Urban Pioneers of Mellon Street." And I found I had 21 visitors today. This blog, which I do not keep up with as much any more has not had that many hits ever in one day and this day is not even half over.
I wonder why? Are the hackers looking around for some information?
So how are things on Mellon Street, especially in the lower numbered blocks of 900, 800, 700 and 600? Well...just a bit better. Not a whole lot better but a bit better. The thing that is helping is the resurgent of East Liberty, so the neighborhoods around it are benefiting. But the best thing is that after 7 years here, all around us houses are being rehabbed and there's more interest in buying and living in this corner of Highland Park. We are very happy for that and we hope the trend continues.
What is great about living in this area? I'll list them:
1. Easy walking to just about anywhere, even Whole Foods, Shady Side, Morning Side, Home Depot, Salt, Park Brugge, E2, Highland Park Market/Deli, in general any business on Bryant Street. And of course the best coffee shop in the world, Tazza D'Oro.
2. The reservoir and the park. What a great place to get your exercise and have fun. There's tennis courts, volleyball, a really big swimming pool, picnic areas, a pond and more!
3. The Pittsburgh Zoo, need I say more?
4. Friendly neighbors.
5. Having an urban garden plot.
6. It is city living!
What is not so great about living where we live in the lower quadrant of Highland Park.
1. Trashy neighbors/tenants---yeah ones who just lets their dogs poop anywhere and everywhere and never pick it up. Then it ferments and smells.
2. Drug dealing--- especially pot. It is no fun to watch the suburbanites come and get their weekend stash on Thursday and Friday afternoons.
3. Loud talking and partying even after curfew.
4. Trash blowing down from Sandy's Deli (one block up). And people just littering in general.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Mayor May Attend!
With all of the recent email messages about arm robbery, drug dealing, open containers, graffiti and other criminal activities in our neighborhood of Highland Park please consider attending the next Zone 5 Public Safety meeting.
The next meeting is Tuesday April 14th 7 p.m at the Union Project. The best thing is often Commander Ross and/or Officer Gay are there to hear your concerns and at this next meeting I also heard through the grapevine that the mayor may attend. Wouldn't that be awesome? What an opportunity to get heard!
These meetings which take place every second Tuesday of the month are a great forum to voice your concerns, ask for more police patrols, discuss street lighting as well as the placement of security cameras in our neighborhood and share ideas with your neighbors.
Please plan to attend. Strength in numbers...as they say.
The next meeting is Tuesday April 14th 7 p.m at the Union Project. The best thing is often Commander Ross and/or Officer Gay are there to hear your concerns and at this next meeting I also heard through the grapevine that the mayor may attend. Wouldn't that be awesome? What an opportunity to get heard!
These meetings which take place every second Tuesday of the month are a great forum to voice your concerns, ask for more police patrols, discuss street lighting as well as the placement of security cameras in our neighborhood and share ideas with your neighbors.
Please plan to attend. Strength in numbers...as they say.
Monday, March 30, 2009
ZONE 5 Public Safety Meeting April 2009
Spring is here and along with the showers and flowers some criminal activities as well. Here are some of the email that have been posted from the Highland Park listserv. See attached.
Also there is a flurry of drug dealing particularly in front of the Daria (a lot of people stop, walk to the back of that apartment for a few minutes then leave), at the corner of Mellon and Jackson, on Jackson (there was a drug bust at 5630 Jackson in January or Feb) and down Mellon to Stanton Avenue.
Please plan to attend the monthly public safety meeting and please urge you neighbors to attend as well. Strength in numbers as they say.
Elaine Zelmanov from Councilman Patrick Dowd's office says both Commander Ross and Officer Gay have been attending. Maybe we can convince the Commander that we too have
See this article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09087/958945-53.stm
Zone 5 Public Safety Meeting
APRIL 14, 2009 Tuesday
Union Project
7:00 p.m.
In the mean time if you see any suspicious activity please call 911--- I know it is hard sometimes for whatever reason but if it doesn't feel right it wouldn't hurt to have the police drive by or stop by to check it out.
Suggestions are welcome.
Also there is a flurry of drug dealing particularly in front of the Daria (a lot of people stop, walk to the back of that apartment for a few minutes then leave), at the corner of Mellon and Jackson, on Jackson (there was a drug bust at 5630 Jackson in January or Feb) and down Mellon to Stanton Avenue.
Please plan to attend the monthly public safety meeting and please urge you neighbors to attend as well. Strength in numbers as they say.
Elaine Zelmanov from Councilman Patrick Dowd's office says both Commander Ross and Officer Gay have been attending. Maybe we can convince the Commander that we too have
"invested a significant amount of money"in our neighborhood and have security cameras installed as the ones coming to the North Side.
See this article: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09087/958945-53.stm
Zone 5 Public Safety Meeting
APRIL 14, 2009 Tuesday
Union Project
7:00 p.m.
In the mean time if you see any suspicious activity please call 911--- I know it is hard sometimes for whatever reason but if it doesn't feel right it wouldn't hurt to have the police drive by or stop by to check it out.
Suggestions are welcome.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Important Numbers
Police/Fire/EMS 911
Lawrenceville United 412.802.7220
Crime Stoppers 412.255.TIPS (8477)
Abandoned Cars 412.255.4776
Section 8 Problems 412.456.5051
Trash Problems 412.255.4155
Housing Problems 412.255.4155
Narcotics 412.323-7777
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Meeting with Chief Harper
Today Fran Escalante, David Hance, Elaine Zelmanov and I met with Pittsburgh Police Chief Nathan Harper. Also attending was Zone 5 Commander Ross and John Warren, Executive Assistant to Chief Harper.
The meeting went very well and was productive. All of us presented our concerns and I feel we were heard.
Because I want to get this email out quickly here are some highlights in a nutshell:
Chief Harper feels that having a cohesive and active block watch will relieve some of our problems, he suggests initially we meet at least twice a month and as a group continue to call 911 at the first sign of ANY disturbance. Often he said a disturbance can lead to more trouble---so it is very important to call 911 early. The Chief also stressed everyone should call, right down the line---house to house and not too assume the neighbor who lives closer to the disturbance has already called. The number of recorded calls are important in establishing a nuisance or disruptive property. Also when calling 911 please be sure to specify the address of the property and not just say the corner of Jackson and Mellon (unless of course that is where it is). Be sure you say 830 Mellon, or 919 Mellon or wherever the incident may be.
The city is getting ready to implement the Disruptive Property Ordinance---there are many factors that can classify a property as disruptive some of those are: noise control, riot, failure to disperse, loitering, endangering children, underage drinking, etc. There are many more listed all having to do with quality of life issues. The city is looking at properties in our area to use as a test model.
Converting Mellon Street one way to Bunkerhill with St. Clair Street one way to East Liberty Avenue was discussed too. However changing a two way street to one way is a process involving planning and community involvement.
Remember starting July 1 the curfew ordinance will be in effect.
From the Post Gazette:
I'll have more later but most importantly with the noise level getting higher in the past few days and fireworks exploding on our streets--- please everyone call 911--- Zone 5 is ready to serve us and are listening to us--- as neighbors we need to "observe and report" so that the police can "serve and protect."
To quote Commander Ross, everyone has to "stay on top of it."
The meeting went very well and was productive. All of us presented our concerns and I feel we were heard.
Because I want to get this email out quickly here are some highlights in a nutshell:
Chief Harper feels that having a cohesive and active block watch will relieve some of our problems, he suggests initially we meet at least twice a month and as a group continue to call 911 at the first sign of ANY disturbance. Often he said a disturbance can lead to more trouble---so it is very important to call 911 early. The Chief also stressed everyone should call, right down the line---house to house and not too assume the neighbor who lives closer to the disturbance has already called. The number of recorded calls are important in establishing a nuisance or disruptive property. Also when calling 911 please be sure to specify the address of the property and not just say the corner of Jackson and Mellon (unless of course that is where it is). Be sure you say 830 Mellon, or 919 Mellon or wherever the incident may be.
The city is getting ready to implement the Disruptive Property Ordinance---there are many factors that can classify a property as disruptive some of those are: noise control, riot, failure to disperse, loitering, endangering children, underage drinking, etc. There are many more listed all having to do with quality of life issues. The city is looking at properties in our area to use as a test model.
Converting Mellon Street one way to Bunkerhill with St. Clair Street one way to East Liberty Avenue was discussed too. However changing a two way street to one way is a process involving planning and community involvement.
Remember starting July 1 the curfew ordinance will be in effect.
From the Post Gazette:
"During the new patrols, police will be stopping young people under 17 who are out past the city's curfew, Chief Harper said. In July and August, the city's curfew requires that youths younger than 17 be off public streets by 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and by midnight on weekends (the curfew starts an hour earlier in other months)."
I'll have more later but most importantly with the noise level getting higher in the past few days and fireworks exploding on our streets--- please everyone call 911--- Zone 5 is ready to serve us and are listening to us--- as neighbors we need to "observe and report" so that the police can "serve and protect."
To quote Commander Ross, everyone has to "stay on top of it."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
