National Night Out - 8/5

Join us for a neighborhood celebration! 
Our annual neighborhood potluck is at Franklin Park on Tuesday, August 5, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of food and fun family activities.
* Get to know your neighbors
* Enjoy BBQ hamburgers and gardenburgers.
* Bring your favorite potluck salad, side dish or dessert to share.
 
Every year on the first Tuesday in August, neighbors across America gather to take a stand against crime and promote neighborhood unity. 

Neighborhood Yard Sale - June 7

Neighborhood Yard Sale

Saturday, June 7

Shop the 2014 Friends of South 12th Street Neighborhood Yard Sale!

Find great bargains at 10 participating homes in our neighborhood.

Each sale location sets its own start and end times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

* 832 S Fife St          * 812 S Oakes St          * 2509 S 13th St          * 832 S Oakes St
­ * 1012 S Oakes St          * 1208 S Oakes St          * 1465 S Pine St          * 1419 S Junett St
­ * 2321 S 14th St          * 2914 S 14th St

SHOP   *   SHOP   *   SHOP 

Antiques  ~  Books  ~  Clothing  ~  Furniture  ~  Household goods  ~  Costume jewelry

Motorcycle gear  ~  Outdoor gear  ~  Collectibles  ~  Tools  ~  Maternity/Baby/Kids items

Sign up by 5/17 for the Neighborhood Yard Sale - 6/7

Planning a summer yard sale? 

Sign up today for the Friends of South 12th Street Neighborhood Yard Sale -- 

SATURDAY, JUNE 7! 

May 17 is the deadline to be sure your home is included in all advertising. 

How it works: The Friends of South 12th Street will take care of advertising to draw in the crowds, so you can focus on making money. On June 7, just set your new or used items out for sale in your yard and let the shoppers come to you.

A $10 donation (cash or paypal) is requested from each participating sale to help cover the cost of advertising and materials, including on-line and newspapers ads, street signs, and maps to direct buyers to all of the sale locations in our neighborhood.

Set your own start and end times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Sign-up before May 17 by contacting Holly at 253-389-6876 or event.friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com.

Yard Sale Poll

Would you like to join a neighborhood yard sale? 

Comment below by 4/20 with your preferred date. 

Choose from 5/24, 6/7, 7/19, or 8/16.

How it works: The Friends of South 12th Street will take care of advertising to draw in the crowds, including maps to direct buyers to all sale locations, so you can focus on making money.

On the day of the sale, just set your new or used items out for sale in your yard and let the shoppers come to you. Set your own start and end times. This event is rain or shine.

A $10 donation from each participating sale will help cover the cost of advertising and materials, including on-line and newspaper ads, street signs, and flyers directing buyers to all of the sale locations in our neighborhood.

National Night Out Recap

Thank you to everyone who helped us celebrate National Night Out! Over 50 neighbors joined in the fun at Franklin Park. 

Meeting new neighbors at Franklin Park

Sharing good food and good conversation.

Neighbors enjoying a little shade.

Fun at sprayground.

Splashing in the fountains.

You're Invited - 8/6 National Night Out!

National Night Out is Tuesday, August 6.

You're invited to join us for a neighborhood celebration!
Date: Tuesday, August 6
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Franklin Park

Hamburgers and Gardenburgers will be provided. 
Please bring your favorite salad, side dish or dessert to share.

• Door prize drawings at 6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. 
• Get to know your neighbors by playing neighborhood BINGO. 
• Kids can enter the chalk art contest (winners announced at 7:30 p.m.). 
• Bring swimsuits to cool off in the sprayground!

We're hoping the firefighters will be at the party again this year!

We can't wait to see you there!

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/events/213030178845717/.

Save the date - National Night Out!

Join us for a neighborhood celebration!

National Night Out

Tuesday, August 6, 2013 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. 

Franklin Park

 

Enjoy an evening of food and fun family activities.  

Every year on the first Tuesday in August, neighbors across America gather to take a stand against crime and promote neighborhood unity.  

 

Bring your favorite potluck salad, side dish or dessert to share.

Neighbors enjoying the 2012 National Night Out event.

Thank you for helping us clean up the neighborhood!

Thank you to all the neighbors who participated in this morning's neighborhood cleanup. We appreciate everyone who helps to make our community a nicer place to live.

City staff and volunteers unload trash at the 2013 Neighborhood Cleanup.

Neighbors brought in trash, scrap metal and tires for free disposal at the 2013 Neighborhood Cleanup.

And an extra big THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped to make this event possible. We could not have done it without!

Sprague Avenue Entranceway Groundbreaking - 12/3

You're invited to the Sprague Avenue Entranceway Groundbreaking ceremony.

    Where: S. Sprague (little Sprague) and S. 23rd Street!
    When: Monday, December 3rd at 9:30am

The Central Neighborhood Council in partnership with local neighbors and the City of Tacoma has been working hard for the last two years to ensure Sprague Avenue Entranceway is a place we can be proud of and call a true gateway to our city!

Mayor Marilyn Strickland, Council members Ryan Mello and Lauren Walker will be on hand to help break ground on this important project.

In addition, there is a construction open house the same evening hosted by the City. 

   Where: People's Community Center, 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
   When: Monday, December 3rd at 6pm

It will provide an opportunity for neighbors to meet the construction team. An overview of the project and the construction schedule will be provided as well as a question and answer session.

Light Up The Night Before Funds Run Out

The CIty of Tacoma recently announced that due to ongoing budget issues, they would be scaling back the amount and frequency of maintance they would be preforming.  I do not know if this includes repairing burnt out street lights, but if you have a burnt out street light in your area, I would not wait to request it be repaired.  To report a burnt out streetlight, call 253 591-5287 and follow the automatated directions.

No News Is Good News

It has been awhile since we last sent out a message from the blog.  No, we have not been away or neglecting neighborhood news, but to be honest, the neighborhood has been pretty quiet.  Quick,knock on wood...  There were a couple car prowls that occurred in the same week, but no major rashes of burglaries or car prowls.

There was a major incident just outside of our area Halloween night involving six teens robbing trick or treaters.  We are waiting to get more details, but the last robbery was on the other side of Sprague and S. 15th.  Tacoma Police arrested all six and recovered the gun they were using.  In the end, this sounds gang related (my opinion).  There have been reports of tagging and gang activity in the area of S. 15th and Sprague.  Here is the story  http://www.king5.com/home/Six-arrested-for-Halloween-robbery-spree-176757011.html

As we approach the holiday season, keep a watchful eye out for suspicious activity.  Remember to not leave packages on your porch unattended.  Have packages delivered to work or arrange for a neighbor to receive it.  Mail theft increases during the holidays as well.  If you do not have a locking mail box, you may want to ask Santa to get you one before Christmas this year.  And finally, remember to always secure your home and set your alarm system when you leave.  Home burglaries increase during the holidays as well, so don't get complacent.  Stay vigilant and safe.  

What To Do About People Living In A Vehicle

Recently a neighbor asked for help regarding someone living in a vehicle parked in front of their house.  Turns out, a neirby rental property had allowed a friend to park on their property until one day the landlord told them that their guest could not park on the property any longer.  Now, the vehicle is parking on the street and moving from time to time around the neighborhood.  After doing some research and talking with the City of Tacoma, here are the facts and things to consider.

Countless number of Americans have been affected by the stagnant economy.  Many have lost their home and jobs as well.  I cannot imagine being at a place that circumstances left me no choice but to live out of a vehicle.  This is not a lifestyle I would wish for anyone.  Mu heart breaks and goes out to folks in these situations.  Nevertheless, in the City of Tacoma, it is illegal to live in a vehicle (automobile, trailer, camper, or motorhome) for an extended period of time.  City of Tacoma does allow residing in a vehicle such as a motorhome for up to (7 days) with the proper permit issued by the city.

Enforcement is another issue.  The advice given by the city is to first call Tacoma Police (non emergency) 253 798-4721.  Give a good description of the vehicle, subject(s), and license plate number, and location.  There is no guarantee that police will be dispatched.  After contacting police, follow up by sending our TPD Community Liaison Officer an email requesting him to look into the matter as well.  Our current CLO is Officer Darren Skaanes dskaanes@cityoftacoma.org .  I would request that he contact you to confirm he has received, and will follow up on your request.  If you do not hear back from him, you may need to email again and be persistent.  Though it is illegal, this is a very low prioity item for police.

In closing, it is great that some cities such as Puyallup offer safe parking areas for homeless with proper toileting and wash facilities, but at this time Tacoma does not.  Please contact us at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com if you have any additional questions or need help with another neighborhood issue.      

Neighborhood Yard Sale - Saturday 8/25

Shop the 2012 Friends of South 12th Street Neighborhood Yard Sale this Saturday!

Find great bargains at 12 participating homes in our neighborhood.

Participating yard sales:

• ­ 3009 S 10th St (C, K, X, L)
• ­ 2608 S 13th St (H, M, W)
• ­ 2906 S 13th St (H, F, S)
• ­ 2726 S 14th St (H, F)
• ­ 2910 S 14th St (H, F)
• ­ 621 S Fife St (H, C, E)
• ­ 809 S Warner St (O, E, S)
• ­ 843 S Anderson St (K, H, F)
• ­ 864 S Prospect St
• ­ 1028 S State St (X, H, F)
• 1012 S Oakes St (H, F, K)
• ­ 1424 S Oakes St (H, T)

H = Household items       F = Furniture            C = Clothing                W = Washer and Dryer

O = Office supplies          K = Kids items         E = Entertainment       M = BMW Motorcycle

T = Tools                         X = Collectibles        L = Lemonade             S = Soda / Hot dogs

*Each sale location sets its own start and end times between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Thanks for helping us celebrate the National Night Out!

Thank you to everyone who turned out for the National Night Out event! We had a great time meeting old and new neighbors.

Home Burglary

Home burglary today 8/7/12 between the hours of 9 - 3pm in the 1300 block of South Pine.  Suspects gained entry by kicking in small basement door.  Small electronics were taken.

Join us on Tuesday 8/7 for the National Night Out!

The National Night Out is this Tuesday and you're invited to join us for a neighborhood celebration!

Date: Tuesday, Aug. 7
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Epworth LeSourd Church at 710 S Anderson

Every year on the first Tuesday in August, neighbors across America gather to take a stand against crime and promote neighborhood unity. Enjoy an evening of food and fun family activities.

• Get to know your neighbors.
• Enjoy delicious BBQ hamburgers and gardenburgers.
• Bring your favorite potluck salad, side dish or dessert to share.

We hope to see you there!

Update on Trafton Street Shooting

We have reached out to our Tacoma Police CLO to get more inofmrtion about the burglary and shooting in the 1000 block of S. Trafton early Sunday morning.  We will share any new ifo we get.  If you live in the area and have any info, please email us at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gamil.com and we will pass it along.

We have not been had an increase in number of home burglaries in our area for a while, in fact it has been pretty quite oerall.  The time of day (4:30am) also is not a normal period that home burglaries are committed.   It is my opinion this was not a random break in.  However, residents should always be on the lookout for suspicious activty.

Join A Block Watch

Friends of South 12th Street is helping to organize our neighborhood and increase the number of Block Watch  groups in the area.  Statistics show that there is reduction of crime in areas that have an organized and active Block Watch program.  We have created a new page on our blog devoted to this effort.  On the new "Block Watch Program" page, we have divided our service area into Block Watch groups.  Below the map is a list of neighborhoods that have a Block Watch programs and the Block Captain's contact information.  "It is my dream to have an organized block watch program on all of the blocks in the Friends of South 12th Street area", says Tim Robertson of Friends of South 12th Street.

We need your help to make this happen.  First, if your neighborhood has an active block watch program, please email us at friendsofsouth12thstreet@gmail.com so we may update the block watch listings. 

Second, if your block does not have a block watch program, please consider being the captain of your block.  Being  a block captain requires little to no time on your part.  Simply let your neighbors know about the block watch and encourage them to connect with Friends of South 12th Street.  As new folks move into your area, introduce yourself and welcome to the neighborhood.  Invite them to join the block watch and connect with Friends of South 12th Street.  If there are issues or crime in your area, you would report it to Friends of South 12th Street, just as you have done in the past.  Please consider becoming the Block Watch Captain for your block by emailing us at friendsofsouth12thsteet@gmail.com . 

Burglary And Shooting -1000 block S. Trafton

Report from - TNT Lights and Sirens

A 19-year-old Tacoma man was shot early this morning as he tried to chase about three masked men who broke into his home, said police spokesman Mark Fulghum.

Police were called about 4:24 a.m. this morning to the home in the 1000 block of South Trafton Street, Fulghum said.

The man was home with his family, in his room, when the suspects kicked in the front door. The victim ran out and chased the suspects to the common entryway of the two-unit building, at which point one of the suspects shot him near the hip, Fulghum said.

The victim was taken to the hospital for the non-life-threatening injury, Fulghum said.

All the suspects, who were dressed in black, fled, and the investigation is ongoing, Fulghum said.

INITIAL POST: A 19-year-old man was shot early this morning by people breaking into his home, KIRO-TV reports.

Tacoma police received a call about the shooting at 4:24 a.m. in the 1000 block of Trafton Street, according to KIRO.

Police told KIRO that two or three masked intruders broke into the home by kicking in the door. At least one had a gun, and all were dressed in black.

The victim was shot outside the house and his father chased the suspects with a baseball bat, the victim’s  uncle told KIRO.

Relatives told KIRO that seven people were home during the incident, and that the victim is okay.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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Read more here: http://blog.thenewstribune.com/crime/2012/07/29/tacoma-man-shot-by-suspects-breaking-into-his-home/#storylink=cpy