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.