Philly War on Graffiti: Graffiti and the City Council

I know it's been awhile. Here are some updates.

Disturbing graffiti news. <sigh>

The President of the Bella Vista Neighborhood Association (also the family who is taking care of my cat) invited me to their National Night Out. The goal was to walk around the neighborhood and me show folks how easy it is to report graffiti. We met at the police substation at 10th and South. Always fun when there is (a small tag) graffiti on the police building and several more tags within a block of it. Councilman Mark Squilla, pictured above, was in attendance. He told me that Philly 311 does pass on graffiti requests to Center City District. I'm still waiting on Philly 311 to confirm that. More can be read here. Apparently I am a 311 "power user".

If I ever ran for City Council, my platform would be:

1. Graffiti clean-up (well, duh)
2. Enforcement of residents and business putting trash out early and/or using public bins for their trash
3. Creation of and enforcement of common sense bike laws (on the sidewalk over the age of 12... ticket!)
4. Enforcement of the smoking ban in Rittenhouse Square (there is an officer in the little security hut and nothing happens)

Would I get your vote?

Tuesday August 2

From Bella Vista and after parking and needing to walk on Carpenter and Christian.

Under I76 - 34th and Grays Ferry

Wednesday August 3

Thursday August 4

West Philly on Walnut. I drove through West Philly to work since my car was having issues. Lots of graffiti on this one property.

Broad and Lombard

Friday August 5

My last Friday off. I get graffiti.

Sunday August 7

Another fun trip CVS

Tuesday August 9

5th and Lombard in the historic church parking lot next to my synagogue.

Wednesday August 10 - Our anniversary :)

34th and Grays Ferry

32nd and Grays Ferry - Under I76

Thursday August 11

Friday August 12
I took a slightly long route to CVS on South - lots of stuff on Fitzwater. Also my last Friday off from work. :(

Saturday August 13
A rare Saturday night find as we had to head back to synagogue after the sabbath ended as part of the fast day services.

20th and Chestnut

Sunday August 14
Fast Day - Tisha B'Av - 25 hours worth - I still couldn't resist going out of my way to get to the farmers market. Then I got some graffiti on the way to and from synagogue at 20th and Chestnut in the afternoon/evening... while still hungry.

18th and South

5th and Bainbridge... again.

5th and Bainbridge drycleaners.

Tuesday August 16
In the AM had to hike up to PPA to get a new permit for my new car. In the PM, I took a detour down Christian to get wifey from 15th and Catharine.

8th and Lombard

8th and Locust.

Just out of Philly 311's jurisdiction.

Broad and Christian

Wednesday August 17

First trip to Rittenhouse Hardware at 20th and Pine.

Trash at 18th and Catharine.

Broad and Lombard

Thursday August 18

Grays Ferry under I76... again.

17th and South.

Graffiti around 20th and Lombard/Pine near Rittenhouse Hardware.

Friday August 19

No graffiti but trash on 18th with maggots... yes, maggots on it.

Sunday August 21
Lots of stuff around 4th and Bainbridge on way to farmers market. I also had to walk to and from a UPS drop off place on 22nd and Catharine.