Over a week and a half ago, I wrote a post on the blog discussing the ramifications of having our blog accessible only via sign-in versus eliminating the sign-in and allowing the blog to be viewable by the general public.
Only three people seemed to have an opinion and the general consensus is that having the blog publically viewable is not only acceptable to the blog members as far as privacy is concerned, but it is easier to acess as well.
Starting today, the blog will now be publically viewable with no sign-in required to view the blog. However, only invited/registered members of the blog may write posts and write comments to posts.
For those that didn't respond to the March 19 post about the blog privacy, you may wish to go back over the posts you had written and make any changes you feel necessary to enhance privacy issues.
Remember, to access the blog, you need to enter the full worldwide internet address into your browser: www.owenwood.org (you can't leave off the "www." to access the blog).
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
3210 Fairview
Since we are still by sign in, I am going to use the actual address. We believe that this house is not only involved in the drug trade, but also the source of many of the robberies.
The man Robert talked of confronting has been seen there and may be living there. Today he was confronted by another of our neighbors as he carried 2 drills. (Police were called). Also, the supposed culprit identified by my neighbors as being in the vicinity of my garage is, I believe, this same mysterious "white guy".
Anyway, the owner of this house is:
POLK HOLLIS JR
535 GULLEDGE LN
DALLAS, TEXAS 75217-6242
I have written him a letter -- albeit anonymously for fear of retribution -- expressing the neighborhood's concern about his tenants and asked him to look into it.
I would ask that others of you do the same. Again, I suggest anonymously -- What can it hurt.
The man Robert talked of confronting has been seen there and may be living there. Today he was confronted by another of our neighbors as he carried 2 drills. (Police were called). Also, the supposed culprit identified by my neighbors as being in the vicinity of my garage is, I believe, this same mysterious "white guy".
Anyway, the owner of this house is:
POLK HOLLIS JR
535 GULLEDGE LN
DALLAS, TEXAS 75217-6242
I have written him a letter -- albeit anonymously for fear of retribution -- expressing the neighborhood's concern about his tenants and asked him to look into it.
I would ask that others of you do the same. Again, I suggest anonymously -- What can it hurt.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Neighborhood Involvement
Last night I was chatting with a neighbor who was happy to see the drug house boarded up. She then commented that we would need to keep an eye on another house since she had seen that occupant helping to sell drugs at the closed house. Something of which I was unaware since I am at work all day.
I will now certainly keep an eye, but it is very frustrating when people see illegal activity and simply look the other way. I don't know what the answer is to getting them to understand that it simply can't just be me on our block (and the rest of you on your blocks) who work to make the neighborhood safer.
And my only comment on the "mom and pop" shops is a take off on the old Catholic saying "The family that prays together, stays together" -- "The family that dwells together, sells together".
I will now certainly keep an eye, but it is very frustrating when people see illegal activity and simply look the other way. I don't know what the answer is to getting them to understand that it simply can't just be me on our block (and the rest of you on your blocks) who work to make the neighborhood safer.
And my only comment on the "mom and pop" shops is a take off on the old Catholic saying "The family that prays together, stays together" -- "The family that dwells together, sells together".
Demolition and Gangs
Two houses are on the demolition docket in our neighborhood for May. One is 3227 Kinmore (the drug house that caught fire) and 3103 Reynolds (an abandoned house with broken windows).
The gang unit is concerned about the gang El Varrio which is connected to the Bloods. They have noticed more activity in the Reynolds, Spurlock, and Beeman area. I have not noticed much up here on Culver, Fairview or Kinmore. The gangs know they would stand out more up here because it is more cleaned up here.
The gang unit states this activity is due to "mom and pop shops". This is where the parents provide the drugs for their children to sell to make more money for the family. If you see what appears to be gang activity at a particular home contact the gang unit at 214-671-4264.
The gang unit is concerned about the gang El Varrio which is connected to the Bloods. They have noticed more activity in the Reynolds, Spurlock, and Beeman area. I have not noticed much up here on Culver, Fairview or Kinmore. The gangs know they would stand out more up here because it is more cleaned up here.
The gang unit states this activity is due to "mom and pop shops". This is where the parents provide the drugs for their children to sell to make more money for the family. If you see what appears to be gang activity at a particular home contact the gang unit at 214-671-4264.
Monday, March 24, 2008
After 2 years -- success
The house at 3218 is officially shut down. Boarded up tight as a drum on Saturday.
Until it was, vagrants were still stopping by to stay.
Hopefully, this will be the end of it.
So the tally is 2 drug houses burned, one boarded up and one on Fairview that we are still watching.
Thanks to Maureen for her help with finally getting action.
Until it was, vagrants were still stopping by to stay.
Hopefully, this will be the end of it.
So the tally is 2 drug houses burned, one boarded up and one on Fairview that we are still watching.
Thanks to Maureen for her help with finally getting action.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Suspicious Person
I came home from work at 10:15am today (Friday 3-21-08). I watched as a white male(unknown to me) walked east on Fairview. He was stopping and looking down every-ones driveway. I watched as he walked all the way down the driveway at 3226. He came back empty handed. He then walked down to the big brick house that is for sell and walked down that driveway. I got in my truck and drove down there. By this time he was in the ally attempting to climb over a 6 foot wooden fence of the house next door. I politely asked him
"What the hell do you think your doing!" He told me he knew the people that lived there and was looking for a tire to fix his truck. I asked what the name was of the people he knew and he finally came up with a name that I'm sure he made up. I ran him off and called 911. The police called me back at 10:50am and said they could not find him. He is a white male with regular length shaggy black hair. He is about 6 ft. tall and around 45 years old. Today he is wearing blue jeans and a navy blue sweat shirt with hood and dirty white tennis shoes.
"What the hell do you think your doing!" He told me he knew the people that lived there and was looking for a tire to fix his truck. I asked what the name was of the people he knew and he finally came up with a name that I'm sure he made up. I ran him off and called 911. The police called me back at 10:50am and said they could not find him. He is a white male with regular length shaggy black hair. He is about 6 ft. tall and around 45 years old. Today he is wearing blue jeans and a navy blue sweat shirt with hood and dirty white tennis shoes.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Owenwood Blog Privacy
As of last month, the Owenwood Neighborhood Blog has been online for a year. Since February 2007, we have had 127 postings and have added a total of 9 members to the blog.
As you know, the blog was set up as a private blog that can be read only by registered members. This was done in the interest of keeping those of us who post items on the blog private from the general public and keep prevent the eyes of the criminal element in our neighborhood from viewing its contents.
After a year, I think it is wise to ask you, the registered bloggers, if it is best to keep the blog private (requiring sign-in each time to view) or if you feel that allowing the blog to be viewable by the general public is a better approach.
Some neighborhood blogs are kept private like ours, but others, like Junius Heights - their blog can be found (here) - keep theirs open to the public.
Over the next week, please think about this and post a comment letting me know which you prefer.
As you know, the blog was set up as a private blog that can be read only by registered members. This was done in the interest of keeping those of us who post items on the blog private from the general public and keep prevent the eyes of the criminal element in our neighborhood from viewing its contents.
After a year, I think it is wise to ask you, the registered bloggers, if it is best to keep the blog private (requiring sign-in each time to view) or if you feel that allowing the blog to be viewable by the general public is a better approach.
Some neighborhood blogs are kept private like ours, but others, like Junius Heights - their blog can be found (here) - keep theirs open to the public.
Over the next week, please think about this and post a comment letting me know which you prefer.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Culver Street
We are down to only Coco at the Culver house... a prostitute. When asked where she was going -- she said she was staying there and her boyfriend was moving in.
One step forward, two back. All of the family is gone including Teddy who was a big part of the problem, so I am at a loss to understand how she thinks she has any right to be there.
The police have been keeping a good eye on it and stopping regularly. They apparently have been stealing both water and electricity.
Maureen has also been very active in monitoring what is happening there.
One step forward, two back. All of the family is gone including Teddy who was a big part of the problem, so I am at a loss to understand how she thinks she has any right to be there.
The police have been keeping a good eye on it and stopping regularly. They apparently have been stealing both water and electricity.
Maureen has also been very active in monitoring what is happening there.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Police Activity
Apparently the police are active in our neighborhood. The police were at the Drug House on Culver last evening about 1 am and arrested Teddy Love on outstanding tickets. Though he will probably be back by this afternoon. At least this time they caught him. Every other time, he manages to run out the back door. This time they were waiting. He tried to tell them he didn't live there, but the police asked why he didn't have shoes on if he didn't live there.
My neighbor tells me that a week doesn't go by that the police don't come by there In her words, "they are keeping it hot."
Teddy is the nephew of the 5 siblings who inherited the house from their mother. The police apparently also told him that no one was supposed to be living there.
My neighbor tells me that a week doesn't go by that the police don't come by there In her words, "they are keeping it hot."
Teddy is the nephew of the 5 siblings who inherited the house from their mother. The police apparently also told him that no one was supposed to be living there.
Bad News
Robert says that "yellow jacket" is apparently out of jail -- he saw him down on Samuel.
So either he didn't get arrested or he is already bonded out.
So either he didn't get arrested or he is already bonded out.
Apparent arrest
Robert left a message that at about 7 a.m. this morning the police were at XXXX Fairview where they apparently arrested the man Robert calls "Yellow Jacket". He is the son of the husband there and they do not let him stay there so he roams the neighorhood, allegedly does drugs in the park and is seen in the company of a couple of different skanky women. Allegedly he is on parole. He also has been seen at the suspected drug house on Culver.
This guy was not a good force in the neighborhood. There is a half brother at this address who is a great kid trying to do good who does lawn work and has had his tools stolen twice and his car burglarized -- probably by his own step brother.
So if you see other suspicious characters, continue to call them in. May take a while, but finally something happens.
This guy was not a good force in the neighborhood. There is a half brother at this address who is a great kid trying to do good who does lawn work and has had his tools stolen twice and his car burglarized -- probably by his own step brother.
So if you see other suspicious characters, continue to call them in. May take a while, but finally something happens.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Bus Service
Starting March 3, our neighborhood lost half of its bus service.
Earlier this year, meetings were held concerning changes to the old No. 11 route and the decision was made to split it into 3 pieces. The buses that serve East Dallas would be the 110 and the 111. The No. 11 now serves Oak Cliff.
For those East Dallas neighborhoods farther from downtown, there would be more trips on the HOV. Owenwood was not supposed to lose any service. This was confirmed by DART personnel.
Our service has been reduced by 50% with buses during the morning and evening rush hour coming only every 40 minutes with daytime service only every hour.
We have no morning rush hour service after 8:20 with the next bus not until 9:40.
This is not what we were promised.
If you would like to complain about the huge reduction in service, please email Boris Palchik (bpalchik@dart.org)
Boris Palchik
Service Planner III
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
(214) 749-3847
Earlier this year, meetings were held concerning changes to the old No. 11 route and the decision was made to split it into 3 pieces. The buses that serve East Dallas would be the 110 and the 111. The No. 11 now serves Oak Cliff.
For those East Dallas neighborhoods farther from downtown, there would be more trips on the HOV. Owenwood was not supposed to lose any service. This was confirmed by DART personnel.
Our service has been reduced by 50% with buses during the morning and evening rush hour coming only every 40 minutes with daytime service only every hour.
We have no morning rush hour service after 8:20 with the next bus not until 9:40.
This is not what we were promised.
If you would like to complain about the huge reduction in service, please email Boris Palchik (bpalchik@dart.org)
Boris Palchik
Service Planner III
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
(214) 749-3847
While waiting in line for the caucus
I mentioned that I met a new neighbor. She recently moved to our neighborhood and lives on Fairview. She is very interested in being informed so as soon as I get all her info, I will ask you to invite her to this blog.
The bad news is that they got her lawnmower and that the really nice young man at 3238 Fairview who does lawns had his equipment stolen for a second time. He had his items chained together through the handles -- well they unscrewed the handles leaving them attached to the chain and made off with the rest.
Now tell me, what self respecting fence wouldn't guess they were stolen. Many of us suspect that the fence is "Raymond" at Dolphin and Haskell. The police officer told me that one might go down there pretending to look for something to buy, case the joint and if you see your stuff, call the police to go back with you.
Perhaps all of us who have had items stolen should get together for a field trip.
The bad news is that they got her lawnmower and that the really nice young man at 3238 Fairview who does lawns had his equipment stolen for a second time. He had his items chained together through the handles -- well they unscrewed the handles leaving them attached to the chain and made off with the rest.
Now tell me, what self respecting fence wouldn't guess they were stolen. Many of us suspect that the fence is "Raymond" at Dolphin and Haskell. The police officer told me that one might go down there pretending to look for something to buy, case the joint and if you see your stuff, call the police to go back with you.
Perhaps all of us who have had items stolen should get together for a field trip.
Lorlee in the Media Again
Fun blog entry over at D Magazine about Lorlee and her experience as Precinct Chair at last night's caucus. You can read the article (here).
Lorlee, I don't think Tim Rogers at D Mag could have described you better than "Bartos is a long-suffering FrontBurnervian and an East Dallas activist." 'Ain't it the truth!
Lorlee, I don't think Tim Rogers at D Mag could have described you better than "Bartos is a long-suffering FrontBurnervian and an East Dallas activist." 'Ain't it the truth!
Monday, March 3, 2008
Neighborhood Foreclosures
Foreclosures are very sad, but could be a good thing for us if some of those homes were those of our neighborhood burglary, assault, and drug-dealing criminals and felons.
The Dallas Morning News has launched a section of their website showing all 2007 foreclosures in each Dallas/Fort Worth zip code.
You can find our neighborhood foreclosures by clicking (here).
The Dallas Morning News has launched a section of their website showing all 2007 foreclosures in each Dallas/Fort Worth zip code.
You can find our neighborhood foreclosures by clicking (here).
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