I'm around the corner on Carpenter and have some experience dealing with issues like this one. We've been here for over 10 years and 10 years ago this area was mostly empty lots.

The first step (if you haven't already done it) is to call 311. Report the problem and get a ticket number for the call. Lot cleanings are usually done by L&I or the Managing Director's office, but it can sometimes be a slog to get them out. I would recommend telling neighbors and friends about the problem and have them call as well. Like 911, the more calls the better.

The next step (that I've had a some success with in the past) is to look up the property owner on the Office of Property Assessment (OPA) website. Just Google Philadelphia OPA. SeeClickFix won't let me include the url. Accept the terms and conditions and then just search by property number and street. (Make sure you specify S. Randolph, as there is no doubt a N. Randolf)

What I've done in the past was to send a certified letter to the owner stating that you have reported the lot to L&I and the managing Director's office and that if it is not cleaned and fenced off to prevent further trash accumulation, the City will do the work and bill them for it. This is technically true, so it's not like you're threatening them with nothing to back it up. In some cases the owner has listed the lot itself as their mailing address. This makes them harder to find and fine. If that is the case I still may be able to help, but it will be a bit more difficult.

I am on the board of directors of the Queen Village Neighbors Association, so if you want to use my name and mention QVNA please feel free to do so. I would be happy to add my signature to such a letter.

Third step is to to tell everyone you can about this SeeClickFix entry and have them vote on it. L&I and the neighborhood groups do monitor this website.

Good luck and let me know if I can be of any more help.

EBW

Thanks EBW. I am on the phone with 311 right now reporting the issue.

Ok, now I'm actually quite disgusted.

I just got off the phone with 311. The tech on the other end told me he was taking my information down by hand due to a problem with their computer systems. He told me "it would get entered by the end of the day".

When I asked about a reference number to track the case, he could not offer me one because he said one would not get assigned until it was entered into the system. I then inquired if I would get called with a ref number once that happened. He told me "no, but you can call back tomorrow to get one." I will be calling back tomorrow.

I just wanted to share my experiences thus far in dealing with the city government. It's rather laughable.

I also wanted to say that I did call the lot in last year. It took the city 90 days to turn around on cleaning it. Once it was cleaned, all the trimmings from whatever was used were left on the lot. I raked it myself to stop it all from festering and dying. I believe I filled 13 contractor grade construction bags.

I would personally love for this cycle to stop. If the lot is to stay abandoned, I believe it should be fenced up so that people will not continue to use it as a dumpster and a bathroom.

Taking your information by hand?! That's ridiculous. I would definitely call back and just start over when they have the system back up.

Yeah, dealing with the City can be quite frustrating.

I think your best bet for getting the lot fenced will be to go after the owner. Looked it up on OPA

NGUYEN, CHELSEA T.
1804 S BANCROFT ST
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19145]

Tell that every time the city cleans the lot a lien is put against the property. Tell her that you live next door and that you will continue to call the city out to clean the lot and, in general, make her life miserable until she fences it and agrees to maintain it. The only way to get through to these people is through their wallets.

I'm going to e-mail an old L&I contact I dealt with in the past and see if he can refer me to someone ion South Division who will also contact Nguyen

Certified letter sent. I will call L&I again today to verify issue is in the system.

Thanks for your help and I will post updates as they come through.

This issue has yet to be resolved.

I received a knock on my door at 9am on Labor Day. It was a man claiming to be the boyfriend (fiancee) of the owner of the lot. He assured me that they were planning on building a house there. I discussed him putting up a fence in the interim which he agreed to. He asked for a couple of weeks to get it done which I agreed to.

I did not appreciate how this man showed up unannounced. I will be following up with L&I and if this guy shows up again without notifying me first, I will be calling the police.

This issue has yet to be resolved.

I received a knock on my door at 9am on Labor Day. It was a man claiming to be the boyfriend (fiancee) of the owner of the lot. He assured me that they were planning on building a house there. I discussed him putting up a fence in the interim which he agreed to. He asked for a couple of weeks to get it done which I agreed to.

I did not appreciate how this man showed up unannounced. I will be following up with L&I and if this guy shows up again without notifying me first, I will be calling the police.

The owner of the lot did send her fiancee (boyfriend) to clean it up. The weeds have been cut down and removed. He also put up a chain link fence to keep people from walking in. I'm closing this issue for now because I am satisfied with the results.

Thanks for your help EBW

Saw the clean out the other day and was impressed,. A chain link fence is even better. Kudos to the lot owner for being cool about this. Most folks literally have to get a bill for L&I before they do anything.

Congrats on getting that taken care of vinnyp