All Forum Posts by: Debbie W.

@Gary Johnson, the pic doesn't show up. The discussion is interesting especially since I didn't realize the pitch issues with that type of roof. Looking forward to seeing pics of before / after.

My 2 cents: We had an inspector who noticed the addition over a garage was done wrong. Seller wouldn't budge on price so we walked. Same inspector looked at house we are in now. He missed so much! My electrician almost had a heart attack when he saw our electrical panel after we bought it. We are familiar with how to do most work ourselves but never knew the wiring entering the house couldn't be coiled the way it was. Huge hazard. Our seller was honest about everything ... she knew about. She never knew her Dad & friend didn't do things to code. We opened walls and found cut pipes and studs. We were gutting & rehabbing anyway but could have been electrocuted by box when we went to do work. I agree w plumber / electrician / roofer to do the inspection. THey are the biggies.

My husband & I will be pleased to attend. Looking forward to catching up with other like minded individuals. 

Hi Zach, 

I'm interested. Will PM you.

I appreciate the info from the people who have been there. I've never owned one of those buildings but I know the people who live in them. THe community that objects to it is willing to use the laws that are on the books to get the place cleaned up. You have to round up those people and get to community meetings with the police. Areas where people were victims of crime regularly have been cleaned up in NY. Stores opened - other than just liquor stores. If the liquor store is a problem then call on them. Use your local representatives if you need stronger local laws. 

I didn't believe it would work in the City. I grew up with it all around me. Surprisely, it did. Just a note - not looking for an argument about the police but no one died for selling loosies. Fights generally begin when someone resists. If the community requests a law be enforced, the cops can't just walk away if someone is violating it. THat's why loosies aren't a crime but resisting is.  It was a years long process to clean it up.

As far as the chicken and the egg with jail and jobs, again, a lot has changed. If someone wants to work, they can find something.

Doesn't make things worse w people. We have way less problems in NY than Chicago. Residents are happier. If they are dealing or using, I don't think loitering is keeping them out of the job market

The police arrest them if warrants. Generally enough to have them explain their presence & move along

In New York City, great progress was made in cleaning up the various buildings where the residents objected to the drugs. A sign was  posted noting the permission of the owner to arrest non resident loiterers. A pre-signed affadavit was on file with the court. No one thought that would work but crime went down and continues to do so. I haven't been in the City in years so I don't know if that idiot Mayor, DiBlasio, reversed anything. THe community was so happy to be able to go outside their apts with their kids again and walk down the block without fear after dark. Just because a neighborhood is poor doesn't mean the working people in in don't want to feel safe and have a chance to raise their kids. 

Just read a commentary in the Wall Street Journal about the horrible landlord / tenant laws in CA.     https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-hostile-occupatio...  

THe guy has a squatter and can't get the woman removed without paying $$$ for a lawyer because legal aid can now represent her for a jury trial - not to say landlord is wrong but to extort large sums of money to make her move and pay legal bills. The woman is a serial squatter. It's crazy.

Michael, 

THank you for your diary. I found it very informative plus I love the work you have done. Keep it up - Looking forward to future diaries :-))