“Dear PoPville,

I bike down 9th street, NW to get downtown often. There is a strange track-looking thing that extends down 9th between L and M, NW. See the attached pictures. It is a deep groove between two metal plates and it’s been there for as long as I can remember, years? It’s just big enough to trap a bike tire inside and despite me avoiding riding over/near it, I must have turned wrong yesterday and my wheel lodged itself inside the track and catapulted me into the street.

First, what is this thing? Does it serve a purpose? I remember there being an issue on H street when the tracks were installed and had to be fixed because of a similar bike hazard. Do you think DDOT would care about this issue?

- Bruised and bloody Mt Vernon Square resident.”

Unfortunately this issue comes up about every six months after a crash. In previous comments we’ve learned:

“They are expansion joints. Due to changes in weather, hot and cold, materials expand or contract. You will most commonly see these on bridges. The reason why the convention center has these is because of the sky walks over the streets. The expansion joints allow the entire building to move together and prevents cracking.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Vileinist

“Dear PoP,

This is kind of a crazy story, but is definitely something your readers should know about. TWO of my friends have been taken by the same scam artist in the last couple days. (the first took place outside the Kennedy center, and the other occurred near gallery place.) in both situations, the woman in a puffy coat came up to the target and started crying. she told a long story about how she’s pregnant and had been hit by a car. she begged for money to get back home (allegedly two hours away). she just kept sobbing and begging for money. she made up ridiculous stories about how her friend was supposed to pick her up but left early / her bank was closed until the morning / her baby might be hurt. in both situations, my friends (being nice/trusting individuals) gave her cash. as soon as my friend opened her wallet, the woman directed her to go to a nearby ATM to get MORE money. this is clearly a scam – please be aware.”

Scammers abound.

Photo by PoPville flickr user zxgirl

“Dear PoP,

This morning I had a blood-pressure-raising drive to work. I usually take the Metro, so driving is a treat for me as it cuts my commute time in half. I jumped onto Rock Creek Parkway and was targeted by some d-bag in a light blue sportscar. He proceeded to tailgate me, cut me off then slam on the breaks, stop in the middle of fast-paced Rock Creek Parkway at 7:15am in the morning–just a real jerk–and it felt like he was targeting me, from DC to Virginia. I made a mental snapshot of the description of his car and plate number (Maryland driver, obviously), and jumped online when I got to work. Turns out, Maryland, DC, and Virginia have a safe driving campaign called Smooth Operator. It tells you to call #77 — did that and reported this guy. Since the trooper didn’t see this incident, I’d have to go to court, get subpoenas and all that jazz (the last thing I need is to be a witness and have this guy target me again, but I don’t want him to do this to other people).

So, because he’s got Maryland tags, and the incidents occurred in DC and Virginia, I’m not sure where to turn next. I’m worried that this guy’s aggression is going to hurt someone–just this morning he nearly caused 3 accidents.

If anything, be safe out there and call #77 if you spot an aggressive driver. Those Maryland drivers are batsh*t crazy.”

Anyone ever have success reporting dangerous aggressive driving?

“Dear PoP,

I was walking back home from work today on Florida ave, and I noticed 2 cars between 11th and 13th, NW with their windows smashed in on the south side of the Cardozo’s field. I remember over the summer you wrote about cars being broken into in the same location after someone sent you an email and I know how many times you have written about people leaving valuable property in the open inside their cars, so I thought I’d send you this email along with some pictures of the cars.”

This is a PoP PSA I give over and over again. This is especially true for folks who park on Florida Ave, NW near Cardozo High School. Please don’t leave anything at all in your cars. If you must – leave the item in your trunk. Replacing windows because your left your gym bag in the car is a very expensive mistake.

It seems like lately there have been a number of devastating fires around town. Unfortunately a reader sends an update that a 2nd victim has died from the Oct. 18th fire that took place at 3132 16th Street, NW. Also earlier in the week there was a fire on the 2800 block of Sherman Ave, NW that displaced 11 residents and of course yesterday there was a 3 alarm fire that took place at 1444 Rhode Island Ave, NW at the Windsor House Apts that injured 5 (including 2 firefighters) and displaced 21 residents.

I know I sound square but please check that your alarms are working and have fresh batteries.

Photo by PoPville flickr user ewilfong

“Dear PoP,

Friday night around 2 am there was a woman walking home alone and intoxicated who was assaulted by 2 dudes in the alley off 18th street in Mt Pleasant. She luckily was only scuffed up and fortunately she’ll physically recover, but the incident rattled the woman and the neighbors. I think there are a couple important learning points we need to take away from what happened Friday night (and what happens too often in our city). Obviously, we’re not going to stop crime but there are important measures one can take to reduce the odds of becoming a victim. If you’re going to get lit (and I enjoying having drinks as much as anyone) then be smart about how you get home. For the past four years I’ve worked in one of the busiest ER’s in town and have been keeping a mental tally of the demographics behind assault victims that I treat. Where were they? Who were they with? Intoxicated? All too often, these people have been walking home alone, deep into the night, and are intoxicated. It’s not rocket science. Don’t make yourself an easy target. Take a cab, get a ride from a friend, or walk home with a friend (I rarely see an assault when people are walking in groups), especially if you’ve been drinking.”

I know I’ve certainly made the mistake of walking home when I should’ve taken a cab. As the original poster says this is not a case of blaming the victim but sadly, walking home alone after a night drinking can be like a form of Russian roulette. This is probably the best advice that was ever given to me years ago. When in doubt, don’t hesitate, and always take a cab home late at night especially if you have been drinking. The advice can be easy to shrug off but it’ll be the smartest money you ever spent if you consistently heed the advice. And remember this advice applies to all DC neighborhoods!

“Dear PoP,

Yesterday while I was grabbing a lunchtime workout at the Washington Sports Club in Dupont Circle, someone broke into my locker and took three credit cards. Over the next several hours, this person (or people) racked up nearly $4,000 worth of charges at Dupont Circle and Gallery Place shops. I found out this morning that the same thing happened to my coworker at the same time yesterday. Washington Sports Club and MPD are on the case, but I want readers to know that using old-school Master combo locks are no longer safe. According to this YouTube video (see below), they can be picked with a shim made out of a piece of a Coke can.

The scariest thing is that this technique for picking the lock doesn’t break it. The thief was nice enough to lock up and put my wallet back in my pants–giving him time to spend on the credit cards before I noticed them missing.”

Back in 2003 (I think it was 2003) I got one of those letters from WASA (now DC Water) about lead in the drinking water. I immediately got a brita and even the city mailed out free filters for the following 6 months or so. Anyway, it has come to my attention that even if you just use your brita pitcher for water it still has to be cleaned! It never occurred to me. Well the bottom of my pitcher was filled with black mold. Yeah, I’ve switched to the system that hooks straight onto the faucet…

Photo by PoPville flickr user D©Bloom

“Dear PoP,

So everyone has probably heard by now that one of the Tea Party bloggers has warned rally participants that the green/yellow line is too dangerous to ride. I think as a public service, we should point out to them more of the specific dangers they might face -

Dangers like:

- Shoppers coming out of Bed Bath and Beyond can bump you with their new ironing boards.
- You can get serious brain freeze from eating your FroYo too fast.
- There are peanuts available at Yes Organic market.
- You could walk into one of the many flagpoles at the Navy Memorial.

And of course the biggest danger – the US Constitution is housed in the National Archives. . .”

Though there was this fight last night…

Photo by PoPville flickr user ianseanlivingston

“Dear PoP,

Just wanted to pass along that perhaps I’m not the only one who forgot its move in weekend at some schools and Target is a disaster area. The hoards of parents carrying full size mirrors and cleaning supplies paired with the renovation for groceries has made this place a jungle. Perhaps anyone thinking of a weekend trip to Target should venture to VA or elsewhere because the lines are long and they are cleaned out and very disorganized. For example dry catfood is now upstairs next to baby supplies, not with all the other pet food/litter downstairs….”

You are officially warned!!!

View Larger Map

Myfoxdc reports:

It started with a knock at the door in the middle of the day on Elm Street in Northwest. The two students answered and came face to face with two armed robbers. One had a gun and the other had a taser.

“The suspects had a taser with them and they tasered both the occupants in the premises,” said Inspector Angel Medina of D.C. Police.

Police say the suspects stole laptops, cell phones, shoes and $4,000 in cash stashed in a shoebox in the middle of the living room floor.

This is disturbing on many many levels. Getting tasered. Being robbed at home, etc. But let me throw a PoP PSA out there, and I’m not being glib or insensitive, I’m being completely serious – never keep thousands of dollars of cash in your house. Ever.

“Dear PoP,

Could you please let dog walkers know that urine kills plants? In this heat, when most plants are already stressed, it only takes one small dose to kill a plant dead. I know everyone on your site admires the gardens of the day, and those of us who actually do garden our front yards would really appreciate it if our efforts were respected a little more. I know I don’t technically own my front yard, but I am the one that purchases and tends the plants there. I used to do the tree boxes around my house, but I’ve given that up as hopeless. My yard may be next if I can’t figure out how to keep the paws and the pee off my plants. Many thanks!”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Rukasu1

“Dear PoP,

Just to give the PoP community a head’s up…speed camera fines have gone through the roof. I knew they had gone up but wasn’t aware as to exactly how much until I got a lovely new one in the mail. 1-10 mph over the speed limit: increase from $30 to $75. 11-15 mph: increase from $50 to $125 (that’s 150%!!! insane!). I’m not sure what the original fines were for higher speeds but those are very very steep now too: 16-20 mph is $150, 21-25 mph is $200, and 26-30 mph is $250. Just though everyone would like to be aware of the massive increases for minor speeding.”

“Dear PoP,

I just wanted to give your car-owning readers a heads up, a kind of
“always check your car” kind of PSA.

Today, after driving about two miles and making a turn onto Rhode
Island Ave — my tire fell off. It was a near-death grinding halt,
but I managed to end at the side of the road without getting hit. Upon
further inspection, I discovered that I hadn’t hit the median or
broken an axle, it was just that the lug nuts were missing. Gone. Had
I decided to not run errands before heading off to Virgina today, I
would probably have died on the 395.

I used some of the other lug nuts on other tires to get me mobile
again and, upon returning home, I discovered all 5 missing lug nuts on
the ground where I’d previously parked. Most likely, something spooked
the person who was planning on jacking my entire tire and he’d left
mid-theft. I realize some people have locking nuts and nicer cars, but
those of you who drive older cars with those crappy plastic hub caps
(that are often broken/missing like a few of mine are) — always
check your vehicle before you drive it. Just because the tire or
something doesn’t look amiss, doesn’t mean your car is just as you
left it.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user julianne’s

I’ve been following with interest and disgust a series of emails about incidents near the Eastern Market metro. Many of the emails recount stories like this:

“My family (4 and 2 year olds) also was closely followed and verbally assaulted by this guy last month when crossing the street in front of the EM metro. I was totally flustered by the encounter, even with my husband present. I felt awful about the incident, namely because in rushing to get away from him and across Penn Ave, I basically led my 4 year old into traffic. While the man seems mentally ill, he has his wits enough about him to repeatedly target/assault families with small children in tow.”

I also wanted to share the wise advice given by another poster:

“I was taught if someone is following you on foot or even in your car, DO NOT GO HOME, go to the closest business and call the police.”

Every year I warn folks new to the city to get ready – our mosquitos are brutal. So I was delighted to see a message from the owner of Pfeiffer’s Hardware, in Mt. Pleasant, on steps that can be taken to lessen the damage:

Three steps to a holding on to your red blood cells this summer:

1. Prevent Mosquito Breeding

The Asian Tiger Mosquito can breed in as little as a capful of water. So, take some time now to rid your yard, your neighbor’s yard, and your neighbor’s neighbor’s yard of anything that collects water after a rain. ESPECIALLY, fix gutters that don’t drain properly. Seriously, talk to and work with your neighbors – the range of the tiger mosquito from their breeding ground is at least a 100 yards.

2. Get the Larvae before they get to Biting Age

Then, for anything you can’t remove or fix, treat with Mosquito Dunks or Mosquito Bits, the safe and effective way to prevent tiny larvae from reaching biting adulthood. The active ingredient is a bacteria that targets mosquitoes without targeting other wildlife, such as birds and fish. Treat fish ponds, bird baths, rain barrels, storm drains at the front and rear of your house, areas of the yard that get soggy after a rain, etc. Check out http://www.pfeiffershardware.com for details and safety reassurances.

3. Encourage our flying mammals: They eat the Adults

For all those of you who have been requesting bat houses to attract bats, THEY ARE FINALLY IN (starting Wednesday afternoon). A single bat can eat 500-1000 mosquitoes an hour, given the right conditions. Check out our homepage for more information on bats: the myths and the facts, and how to build your own bat house.

Sweet, I say we all adopt bats!!!!