City not helping with drug dealing street
Rental Property Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 303 posts · 154 votes
City not helping with drug dealing street
Most Popular Reply
Rental Property Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
10y@Aqil Dharamsey sorry to hear about your situation. I know it all too well.
I started in the same boat but have been able to turn things around. I have written many blog posts about it here on BP and a book as well.
You should also check out BP Podcast #8.
I've got a ton of suggestions that actually are battle tested (I'm not talking theory). Here's a data dump:
1 - You, personally, need to take full responsibility for the situation and for everything that goes down on the block. This is an extreme view but it gets results.
2 - If you're bold enough to pass Step 1, then go about making sure your property is the cleanest, more groomed, litter-free property on Earth. You can either pick up the trash yourself or outsource the task - just get it done. And don't get tired of maintaining an orderly looking property. This is a battle of wills.
3 - Be respectful of those dealers on the street. Don't become their friends, but don't discount them. Give them more respect than they deserve BEFORE they deserve it.
4 - Upgrade your night lighting. Your place needs to look different at night. Light it up. Send the clue that there is no hiding.
5 - Connect with neighbors and local neighborhood watch groups. You are not alone and you want to connect with other like minded people to keep your spirits high.
6 - After you've done the above, and have a little street cred, you should connect with the neighbor's mayoral figure. Find out the one person who is respected and law abiding. Then empower that person. Help them bring more order to the block.
Anyway - that's how you can get started. Again I have a book's worth of info and lots of free articles here on BP to help you. Tons on my home blog as well.
There is hope and there's a path to successful.
Best to you!
16 Replies
- Severna Park, MD · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 7k+ votes10y
Yes , make sure you have protection when you go to your property
- Property Manager · Rochester, NY · Member since 2015 · 243 posts · 62 votes10y
Hey man reach out I may be of some help I'm in the city know many in the community. Install security system and cameras. I can get more into this privately but there's options.
- Rental Property Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 303 posts · 154 votes10y
Thanks Matthew and Matt.
Matt I will give you a call tomorrow.
Just crazy that I pay a lot Of taxes to the city. I can't believe the city is turning their back on someone that actually pays for their livelihood. Just absurd!
- Rental Property Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes10y
@Aqil Dharamsey sorry to hear about your situation. I know it all too well.
I started in the same boat but have been able to turn things around. I have written many blog posts about it here on BP and a book as well.
You should also check out BP Podcast #8.
I've got a ton of suggestions that actually are battle tested (I'm not talking theory). Here's a data dump:
1 - You, personally, need to take full responsibility for the situation and for everything that goes down on the block. This is an extreme view but it gets results.
2 - If you're bold enough to pass Step 1, then go about making sure your property is the cleanest, more groomed, litter-free property on Earth. You can either pick up the trash yourself or outsource the task - just get it done. And don't get tired of maintaining an orderly looking property. This is a battle of wills.
3 - Be respectful of those dealers on the street. Don't become their friends, but don't discount them. Give them more respect than they deserve BEFORE they deserve it.
4 - Upgrade your night lighting. Your place needs to look different at night. Light it up. Send the clue that there is no hiding.
5 - Connect with neighbors and local neighborhood watch groups. You are not alone and you want to connect with other like minded people to keep your spirits high.
6 - After you've done the above, and have a little street cred, you should connect with the neighbor's mayoral figure. Find out the one person who is respected and law abiding. Then empower that person. Help them bring more order to the block.
Anyway - that's how you can get started. Again I have a book's worth of info and lots of free articles here on BP to help you. Tons on my home blog as well.
There is hope and there's a path to successful.
Best to you!
- Investor · Buffalo Grove, IL · Member since 2016 · 23 posts · 16 votes10yI cannot speak for your city but I know Cook County (Chicago) has a department within the states attorney's office that is dedicated to helping landlords with these kinds of issues. Try contacting your local states attorney and see if they have any suggestions. Good luck!
- Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes10y
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it sounds like (since you've almost completely emptied the building now), you had rented your entire building to mostly drug dealers? If this is correct, we're supposed to believe you didn't know? And now you're complaining because there are drug dealers on your street?
- Rental Property Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 303 posts · 154 votes10y
Thanks for all your great ideas. @Al Williamson I will be sure to check out your book for further guidance. The house was previously rented to 4 families. One of the kids (21 years) got into bad company and invited everyone to come down his street to sell. I noticed it several times and warning were given. If anyone knows Rochester it is very notorious and almost everyone here is short tempered and carries a weapon. Due to situation getting out of hand rather quickly I did get the city involved and after a dozen calls and myself appearing at the city hall, I was able to get a police camera installed. That did slow does the traffic but now since the cameras are gone, it's a zoo there.
I sat down the street yesterday for an hour and not a single cop car drove down even though I have been told that this is a hot street and I should see a lot of police presence.
- Rental Property Investor · Sacramento, CA · Member since 2011 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes10y
my biggest regret is that I didn't buy more rentals when my block was under seize.
You're overwhelmed now but things can change if you work with neighbors to bring more order.
You have seen how a deterrent made things temporarily better. Continue to layer them on. Find a way
- Chicago, IL · Member since 2016 · 16 posts · 6 votes10yAqil, I understand your frustration. Like Al said, if you can make your property look like "the house to stay away from" that would help. Unfortunately, this will only help your property. If you can get to know other property owners on the block and get them to do the same thing then maybe you can get the guys off of the block. The City of Chicago's gang problem has seen some drastic changes over the past decade. Their is no longer the gang hierarchy or structure that has been typical in the past, where gangs would operate in an area or "turf". Most of the gangs now are broken into "sets" which can operate block to block. This has had a lot to do with the increase in violent crime in Chicago. As far as your tax dollars are concerned I can tell you that you are in the same boat as most of Chicago's residents. The areas that pay the most in taxes typically have the least amount of police service. The police have to respond to areas with the highest crime and can't base that response on how much the residents pay in taxes. The areas with the lowest taxes are the areas with the lowest property values which means lower income which usually means higher crime. If your property taxes are high then you might be in a nicer area which would explain the lower police response. The Chicago police department's staffing is down thousands of officers compared to just 10 years ago. The city's mismanagement of the pension system and budgetary cuts have stripped the police ranks significantly, lowering coverage and response times. Residents on some blocks in Chicago have set up phone trees. If one of the residents see the dealers on the block, they will call everyone on the phone tree and then everyone on the tree will call 911. However, crimes against people like robbery, assault, domestic disturbance etc will always take priority over drug selling calls so if your area has a high volume of calls for those type of crimes then the phone tree might not work. Stop in to your local district station and talk to the CAPS office. They might have some suggestions or resources that can help you. Good luck.
- Wholesaler · Rochester, NY · Member since 2015 · 46 posts · 7 votes10y
I have experienced the problem my self in Rochester, I actually watched and waited for a cop to drive by and flagged him down, chewed the fast with him for a min, made a connection. Asked him to help me clean up the street. It worked some, then I talked to the dealers. Told them I understand they are running a business and so was I, asked if they could move up the road by the abandoned building and they did. I ended up filling the building and selling it quick.
- Lender · Greater LA/Orange County area, CA · Member since 2012 · 3k+ posts · 3k+ votes10y
When you own multiple doors in a tight area you need to become a "micro-politician."
The solutions begin with taking responsibility as @Al Williamson said so well. You are no longer just an asset owner.
Your job is to demonstrate leadership. Those who have the resources, the stomach and the juevos will benefit and may become very wealthy. Those who don't will flounder in continued frustration until they become Sellers.
- Rock Star Extraordinaire · Northeast, TN · Member since 2015 · 10k+ posts · 16k+ votes10y
Some good posts already.
As soon as you make your building less inviting, and by proxy your block, they will deal in front of someone else's building.
If the problem gets so bad that you can't get any traction after making your own improvements, get the media involved. A story about a business owner who is trying to provide safe, decent housing for people in the area, thwarted by the city's lack of attention, is a good one and will likely turn some heads.
You know who usually gets things done in any situation? The persistent, but respectful, pain in the ***, that makes cooperation less painful than obstruction. The city can't work miracles, but if they know you are going to make life more difficult than it has to be, they are likely to toss a few extra patrols your way.
Skyline Properties - Rental Property Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 303 posts · 154 votes10y
I am very involved with the city and the neighbors. This is a house I have not owned for long and majority of the people on the street are renters.
I have tried to place camera and lights but were "damaged" for unknown reasons.
I also approached the dealers to explain my situation and basically got the look to I better walk away or there is going to be a fight. Hey are generally all kids that rather shot then speak. I am planning to visit the commissioner office this week to plea my case. I have to get this under control and re rent my apartments.
Thank you all for continued advise.
- Flipper/Rehabber · Louisville, KY · Member since 2008 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes9y
It is too bad you are in this situation but I am appalled at the way you seem to accept no responsibility for the issue and expect the commissioner to take YOUR calls and fix YOUR problem. The problem that came FROM YOUR RENTER.
Yes, the commissioner is busy. He can't come out and protect your 1 property which pays for .00000001% of the city budget.
If it is that important, go down there in person. Go to a city council meeting. Organize the neighbors. They are probably pretty pissed at you because you rented to drug dealers and didn't manage the property well.
I bet everyone else in the situation thinks YOU are the issue there and you insist everyone else is doing nothing to help YOU.
Amazing. They should shut you down.
Slumlords who ruin a neighborhood and ***** about the police.
- Rental Property Investor · Rochester, NY · Member since 2016 · 303 posts · 154 votes9y
whoa @Eric M. relax. Here's some background on the property just for your reference so you don't make the mistake on making ignorant remarks about another fellow landlord.
1) all tenants go through rigurious back ground check before moving in. My tenants son moved in without permission and started selling drugs. I spent a lot of money evicting the tenant.
2) new "bottom feeders" moved in after the eviction to capitalize on the situation. As per Al mentioned I had already been taking extra care of the property by changing garbage companies so we had twice a week pick up to keep the yard clean and the property sparkling all the time.
3) flood lights placed on the house to keep it well lit all night long. Ironically a few days later the lights were busted by rocks. Odd...
4) cameras were going to get installed but the police Dept decided to place their own cameras but that only last few days.
5) I am NOT a slumlord. Actually far from it. I provide a Safe clean and fun place for my tenants to lay their head every night. I also work with local charities and offer them below market rent rate to accomadate the less fortunate.
6) placed my good tenants from that property into another property while I dealth with the situation. Wanted to make sure they were safe since the environment there is getting ugly.
Not that I have to explain myself to you big guy but let's not be arrogant and jump to conclusion before finding out the facts ... Completely.
Try to have a great day!
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