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 .