This is a complaint and a plea to get something done about 1301 NW 15th Street. Since this property was purchased recently, there have been many problems stemming from this house.

Gang activity, drug activity and many break-ins (3 in one day) that were not a problem before on this street. This stems from the unsupervised kids that stay at the house. They have been seen on the property during the times of the break-ins. I have personally listened to one of them yelling gang affiliations.

There is always at least one utility turned off there (the water was off for at least 3 months). There is/was bird feces inside the house. There has been the stench of sewage coming from the basement. DHS was came out, and nothing was done. The Drug/Gang Hotline was notified and we didn't see any activity change. The Action Center has been helpful. They have towed off old cars, cleaned, and mowed the property. The most response I've had is from Councilwoman Ann Simank, which is still greatly appreciated.

However, this is somewhat of a catch-22. In my current job, I know that liens have been placed on this property, and that it can't be sold until these are paid.

The owner, Angel Coulter, does not live in this house, and when something happens she usually agitates the problem instead of taking care of her property. She has also threatened several people.

In fact, the home at 1313 NW 15th was broken into today for the second time in a week, the cops responded quickly. There was a positive ID made, and then they let him go.

RE: 1301 NW 15th St

Dear Anonymous,
First of all, let me just say that I truly sympathize with your frustration and admire your resilience. That being said, for the purpose of informing you as well as others who browse this website... the discussion page of this site is intended for discussion and debate only. ANY person may reply or bring up a topic, so long as it is not offensive.
That being said, I happen to run across your plea while updating the information on the site. I implore you and anyone else to please feel free to contact any officer of your choice when you need help, either by direct e-mail or phone call. You will find a contact information link on the home page. We are residents just like you with one exception, we may have alternate methods to suggest, contact information for the right people who can be of great help to you, or sometimes just support and encouragement for one another. In other words, sometimes solving these types of problems will just take an amazing amount of patience and simply taking the right steps consistantly.
I know the specific property you're talking about (though most residents would say that they have one just like it next door). I live right around the corner, but not near enough that I see the comings and goings-on there. Based on your letter, it sounds to me like you have been taking a lot of the necessary steps to try to solve this ''problem property''. It's sounds like you are really outright sick of it and, honestly, that's what it takes to change things.
One of the BEST methods for dealing with criminal elements going on at a property is to bombard the owner with code violations constantly. Let's face it, most of the properties that have these propblems will always have numerous code violations. Inevitably, if the owner is renting the place, he'll get rid of the tenant for a better one because he'll have a better property to rent. If it's a homeowner living on the property, he'll be too busy fixing the place up, going to Council all the time, and will run out of time and money. Sometimes they end up just moving out because of all the hassles. So, keep calling the action line and reporting those Code Violations!
Another thing I can also suggest is that if there is Gang/Drug activity at a property it may take several different neighbors calling the
Gang / Drug Hotline:
?“Anonymous?”
232-6272
The more the better. Talk to some of the other neghbors and see if you can get them to report on it as well. You'll get some resistance, but even a handful will get some response. Also, sometimes after you report to the hotline, you won't NOTICE anything going on but that's because undercover work may be in progress.
We are also an official Weed & Seed site now, and so for the next 4 years that means a lot of help and a lot of change. I invite you and ALL neighbors to attend the next Neighborhood Association meeting to learn more about that. **Regular meetings are held the 3rd Sat every month at the Penn Ave Methodist Church (SE corner of 13th & Penn) @11 am.** Come meet your NA officers & other neighbors, get information on who else you can contact for the best results and be a part of the solution. I'd be happy to talk to you in greater detail.
Again, feel free to contact myself or any of the other NA officers for additional help. I look forward to meeting you. Thank you for making a difference!

''Don't put off for tomorrow what you can be a part of today!''

Natalie

Classen-Ten-Penn Neighborhood Association
CO-President

By Natalie / Co-President CTPNA