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October 19, 2007
Sister City advice?
Spooky parallels
New Haven, Conn. (Dish's old stomping ground) is considering setting up a 311 complaint hotline like the one in Pittsburgh. New Haven Independent editor Paul Bass (Mrs. Dish's pal & former taskmaster) talks about the program today in his "News from the Compost Heap" vlog. Has Pittsburgh's 311 hotline been successful? Let him know in comments.
Also, Bass reports on New Haven's first ever Zombie Fest charity walk this weekend which was inspired by the Burgh and organized by Dish photog Jeff Glagowski. Have any goulish advice for their walk?
October 19, 2007 in Opinion | Permalink
Comments
Rebecca,
Here's another response from the 311 office. This is not a form letter. Very helpful. Bad news but helpful:
http://pittsburghdish.typepad.com/pittsburgh_dish/2007/10/not-dead-yet.html#more
Posted by: Colleen | Oct 24, 2007 4:39:38 PM
Rebecca,
Response was slow to non-existent prior to 311. Also, it has taken some time for the 311 line to become effective (response was, um, uh, slow to non-existent.) Complains seem to be answered much more quickly these days thanks either to the mayoral administration working out some kinks or the fact that the mayoral election is right around the corner.
Joe
Posted by: Mr. Dish | Oct 22, 2007 6:48:15 PM
I'm a NEW HAVEN READER...
So in general you are happy with your 311. But can I ask how bad were services prior to the 311?
Posted by: Rebecca | Oct 22, 2007 12:35:42 PM
I love 311....now that we have it. I thought it was an awful idea at first, but I love it now! Good idea New haven!
Posted by: Edwin | Oct 22, 2007 8:23:11 AM
That response you is the same one that another war street's resident received. Now that I know it's a form I'm a little less impressed.
Posted by: katie | Oct 20, 2007 4:19:29 PM
After filling out a 311 request form regarding the shootings and troubled bar on Monterey Street, I received this response from them within 24 hours. Pretty impressive:
Ms. Van Tassell,
I did process the complaint against the bar on Monterey street in our 311 database (service request # 45002), but I wanted to email you back personally and let you know that our Bureau of Building Inspection is in the process of shutting the bar down. Below is part of an email we received from the zone 1 police station.
Here is what I have for you. First let me say that we did some research and here is what we found. The Mexican War Street area that Mr. Baumert lives falls under census tract # 2503. Taking a look at a one year period (Oct 15, 2006 -Oct 15, 2007) there have benn 235 reportable police incidents including 42 on Jacksonia St. There have been 119 arrests in that census tract and 14 on Jacksonia St.
During that time frame we have had saturation patrols, directed patrols, SRU, bicycle officers, plain clothes officers, narcotics and vice officers, park and walks and a beat officer service that area. We have used homes in the Mexican War Streets for observation and drug arrest operations. The area is heavily policed.
We have had monthly meetings with Mistick Management regarding their properties here on the Northside (they have over 160) and the problems that stem from those properties. The culmanation of those meetings is that Mistick has opted to hire two uniformed police officers eight hours a day, everyday to address some issues that they have with their tenants and the company that their tenants keep. That detail starts today. This should show some marked improvement in areas of Brighton Pl, N. Charles St and eventually filter to their Mexican War Street properties.
Building inspection is in the process of shutting down the Manteeka bar on Monterey St for Building code violations.
As you can see the bar will be closed and the police department is working on keeping the streets safe. If you have any more questions please let us know and we will do what we can to help.
Thanks,
Jason Boehm
311 Response Center
(412) 255-2616
Posted by: Mrs. Dish | Oct 20, 2007 10:07:23 AM
I called 311 today because the finicky trash pickeruppers left a horrific mess in our back alley. Someone did actually call me back 4 hours later (I didn’t expect to hear back right away), which was a pleasant surprise. The nice lady told me that she would forward a complaint to the sanitation department. We shall see if something happens (though I doubt it will).
Posted by: Frank | Oct 19, 2007 1:48:09 PM
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