Neighbors Foil Pizza Deliveryman Robbery Plot

KDKA had the story last night. David Highfield reported.

Neighbors Foil Pizza Deliveryman Robbery Plot

(KDKA) HIGHLAND PARK Pittsburgh Police are crediting observant neighbors
for foiling what they believe was a plot to rob a pizza deliveryman.

Authorities say the residents spotted three boys in their neighbor's
driveway in the 6300-block of Jackson Street in Highland Park and called
police. Two of them were lying on their stomachs, police say.

They confronted the boys and while police were at the scene, the pizza
delivery driver arrived. The officers asked the driver to call the
number of the person who ordered the pizza and the cell phone of one of
the suspects rang.

Investigators say the neighbors were suspicious because they knew the
people who lived at the house were on vacation.

A Good Example

This is a good example of the kind of emails from being on the Highland Park Neighborhood email list. I think by hearing from our neighbors on how they watch out for each other, encourages us to do the same.

"On the 6400 block of Jackson Street last night (Monday), two neighbors noticed an unfamiliar black man (late teens, early 20s) in front of a vacationing neighbors house. After calling police, they asked him what he was doing. He mumbled that he was waiting for someone. At that moment two other men came from behind the house and squared off with the neighbors saying, "What's up?" Then they walked down the street and were stopped by the police. One of the men had a knife, and police were suspicious that they may have thrown any other weapons away.

As we were all sharing information in front of the house, a Pizza Perfecta driver showed up and began walking to the front door. Police stopped him and explained the situation. He had been set up. The shaken driver thanked the crowd of neighbors and gave them the pizza. He said that his wife prays for his safety every time he walks out the door to deliver pizza. Police confirmed that the men had made the phone call and took them in.

Thanks to watchful neighbors and quick action by police and robbery, or perhaps worse, was averted.

PS-Another neighbor later noticed a smashed out window in the back of their car in the same area."

Highland Park Neighborhood News

A great way to know what is going on in Highland Park is to be on the Highland Park Neighborhood email list. It is easy to do just go here to sign up. The list is used to sell items, find good home improvement contractors and the like. The best use of the list is to let neighbors know when there's a rash of crime going on. Recently there were several emails reminding people to lock their doors, to be aware of suspicious activity or on the lookout for a stolen bike.

Sign up now. Get connected to your neighbors!

Nuisance Property Update

I talked to Wendy Urbanic today about what the next step is to actually getting a property classified as a nuisance. She told me that just this morning she was in a meeting with the Mayor and they were talking about this very subject!

Right now the city does not have any guidelines for classifying a property as a nuisance, but the state of PA does. They are going to use the State's guide. Basically it involves building inspector to inspect and cite the property and in regards to criminal activities that would be done through the criminal court. Wendy also told me today she will be giving the Building Dept several properties with a lot of recent 311 complaints as a test to see just how this would work.

This is a start--- there are several of us making 311 reports consistently--- so the city is aware of the problems on Mellon Street. We have to continue to be persistent and patient.

Also I correspond with Wendy from time to time and this is part of an email I received from her last week:

Wendy Urbanic writes:

"We have contacted Building Inspection regarding the unkempt conditions
and we have asked the Police for additional patrols in the area. The
best thing you and your neighbors can do regarding the noise at night is
to call 9-1-1. Many people are intimidated to call regarding a
"non-emergency", but this is really the appropriate venue. Because
9-1-1 can dispatch the patrol cars, it is the most effective way to deal
with this when it is happening. It also provides a record of the
nuisance behavior. I know you have done this in the past and it can be
frustrated when you do not receive an immediate response. Please don't
give up.
I appreciate the updates. The city is getting some great programs in
place to help the neighborhoods, but everything takes time. Keep up the
great work that you have been doing and we will be happy to continue to
help in any way that we can. I personally have a great respect for your
persistence."
Best,
Wendy Urbanic
Coordinator, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Response Line

Renovation Started! And more on 311 reports.

Renovations have started at the apartment complex on the corner of Jackson and Mellon Street. And I've been told by Highland Park Community Development Corp., that renovations of the duplex on the opposite corner will also start soon.

In the mean time please everyone call or submit a 311 report on any home or property that needs attention. Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's staff has been very responsive to these complaints and the reports serve as a record when a property needs to be classified as a nuisance.

Late Night Noise

Last night noise from a group of kids sitting out front of 830 Mellon Street was especially loud. We asked them to quiet down and was told off. Now it seem they are doing a little retaliation, this morning our paper was gone and several times firecrackers exploded in front of our home. (Yes! Firecrackers started exploding around 9 a.m.)

Please check out the comments posted at "Rip Off Reports." We all need to start calling 911 and filing 311 reports. It is easy to do and may create the change needed so we can all live peacefully.

I think this is a great street with many nice neighbors.

Rip Off Reports

Ok---more complaints about Lobos Management--- check out Ripoff Reports.

Also the grass is getting high on the west side of the 800 block of Mellon Street--- most of the homes on this side of the street only need 4-6 passes with a mower to keep the front yard trim and tidy. Is that too much to ask?

The Citizen Observer

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police at Zone 1 are using a website to alert citizens and business owners to crime and threats in that area of town. The reports are logged online at "Citizen Observer" This site also sends emails alerting subscribers of the latest event of crime.

Go to The Citzen Observer
for more information.

Quiet Summer Days? Sort of...

Finally I get a chance to update this blog. To be honest things have been "quiet" in this 800 block of Mellon. I do not know what that means but for now we'll take it. A couple of things to pass on---no word yet on the renovation status of the apartment complex on the corner of Jackson and Mellon. This four story building has been sitting empty for some time. East Liberty Development supposely owns the building and we were told the renovation was to start in early spring 2007. The building is often a target of vandals---windows are broken along the first floor, paintball splatters the brick and trash is everywhere.

Speaking of trash--- the trash cans in front of the apartment at 830 Mellon Street are back out front! You would think with a waste cans so close people would put their litter there but they don't.

Check out this website:Land or Slum it is a new website created locally to rate landlords. Lobos is not a favorite and got very bad reviews. Somehow I am not surprised. See for yourself.

Too Many Children Just Hanging Out

An email from Cmdr. Brackney addressing the concerns of "too many unsupervised children hanging out" in our neighborhood:

"I received your complaint from 311 and have assigned officers to
increase driving patrols in the area, perform park and walks, and to
monitor the activity of the children. As for the loitering and
"hanging" out on corners, unfortunately, there are no enforceable curfew
laws, and Pittsburgh does not have a loitering ordinance.

This does not mean we will not monitor and suggest the children head
home or move along, but know that we have no legal means by which to
compel them."

Motorcycle Racing On Stanton Avenue

Today, through an email received through Highland Park Community Council Neighborhood email list, I learned there's motorcycle racing up and down the park end of Stanton Avenue. Once this email was posted corrective action seem to happen quickly. In an email from Commander Brackney, she contacted Commander Schuburt to asked him to

"have a couple of cycles monitor speed on the lower part of Stanton near the tennis courts prior to entering Highland Park. Also, can we(Pittsburgh Police) install a speed monitoring device to capture data"

This is a great example how using the email list to communicate can get responses quickly. So Highland Park(ers) if you are not signed up do it now. Go to The Highland Park Community Council.

311---The Squeaky Wheel Line

What is Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's Response Line - 311?
311 is the City’s phone number for government information and non-emergency services.

Why 311?
311 allows you to call one easy-to-remember number in order to receive information and access to City government services.

How does Pittsburgh’s 311 work?
311 service representatives use a state-of-the-art database of information and services about City government. 311 works closely with other City agencies to maintain the most current information possible.

When is 311 available?
All calls to 311 are answered by a live operator from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

How do I reach Pittsburgh’s 311:
In the City of Pittsburgh, dial 3-1-1.

Outside of Pittsburgh, call (412) 255-CITY (412-255-2489).

I hope many neighbours will consider calling or completing the online form. Online forms work well! Use them to back up your calls.

Highland Park Community Council Meeting

HPCC Meeting Thursday, May 17, 2007

Where: St. Andrews Episcopal Chuch (downstairs follow signs)
Time: 7:00 p.m. Board Meeting.
7:30 p.m. Presentation concerning the mural on the wall on top of One Wild Place and Mellon Street.

Just Getting Started

Thank you everyone who has commented so far. Becoming active and blogging at the same time is new to me. So please be patient as I learn to navigate the blog while updating. Please feel free to make suggestions, set meeting dates etc., because there's a lot to do and by communicating through the use of this blogspot we can get it done and create change.

Check out:

The 311 line works and it works even better if you go online and submit a written complaint. I have heard back almost everytime I have used the online complaint form. Just go to 311 Online.

Also follow up any criminal complaints by using the police online tip form: Tip Form.

Also...
Do you have neighborhood children and teenagers who think it's ok to sit on the front porch steps of your house? This happens to us a lot and we have asked them to leave, the kids usually do reluctantly but not without some abusive, foul language directed at us. Should we call the police?

I may be rehashing a lot of stuff here---but not only I am new to the neighborhood, but I am new to living in the city. I first lived in Cranberry Twp when I moved to this area in 1987.

Lobos Management

I was told that the owner of 830 Mellon Street is Bernard Sobol of Lobos Management--- but what I've found is Bernard Sobol is a retired ophthalmologist, and Evelyn is wife is the owner Lobos Management, a commercial real estate company in Pittsburgh. It could be that the company is in her name but he runs it.

Saturday at the Fights

Welcome to Saturday Night Mellon Street. Mellon Street is experiencing a lot of gang related activity this year. Already in May, I have called 911 at least six times. Earlier this month there was a lot of activity in front of 830 Mellon, a basketball hoop brought a lot of young boys to the street.

Basketball is a great sport but when the ball is used to break windows the party is over. The portable hoop now resides on Portland Street where hopefully it stays. Now we have the young men in oversize white t-shirts coming around---are they the Homewood Gang? Because I do not think they all live at 830 Mellon, the word is most of the trouble resides in aparment number 2 in that building.

Now tonight (May 12,2007), around 8:30 p.m. a couple of gang girls decided to pick up where they left off from last week continuing their fight in the street. A large crowd gathered, egging them on, getting loud and agitated. This time I made two calls to 911, basically told the operator please get the police here now so they could catch the incident as it was happening. And come they did, FIVE patrol cars, all running red to the corner of Jackson and Mellon. The police got out of their cars, disperse the crowd the best they could and after a while I was able to get a CCR number--- information needed to let the owner of 830 Mellon know that there is indeed trouble at his apartment complex.

830 Mellon is owned by Bernie Sobol and his company is Lobos Management Corp. He has a website but of all of his nice apartments on his website---830 Mellon is not one of them. ELDI has tried to talked to Bernie about his troubling tenants but Bernie claims he does background checks on all of his tenants and the renters that reside at 830 Mellon have clean records.

Enjoy the pictures. More information will be coming---as this Urban Pioneer wants a livable neighborhood for all.

Comments are welcome.

We All Are Urban Pioneers!

Welcome to Mellon Street Blog.

This blog is mostly focus on the 800 block of Mellon but anyone who lives around this area of Highland Park are welcome. It is our hope that by having a forum we can make positive changes that promote better living and enjoyment of our homes in our neighborhood.

We welcome all comments, input, suggestions and complaints but please keep it civil and constructive.

And we will not tolerate the use of negative language towards gender, race or sexual orientation.

Thank you,
Urban Pioneer