"Porch dwellers", as you say, maddogging, making threats, behaving in a lewd manner, smoking drugs and dealing drugs? The root of all of the problems is PHA. 1809, 1813,1815,1827, 1829, 1831, 1833 and 1835 Carpenter Street all all PHA scattered sites properties. This is just one of many examples of how PHA and scattered sites properties destroy our neighborhoods by bringing crime, drugs, drug addicts, convicted criminals, and blight to what would otherwise be a "diverse" section of the city.

and, you can guarantee they're selling more than just weed.

Maybe you should move!

"Weed" is legal in how many states now? 20? Maybe we need to legalize it here so that you will feel safe when you walk this block.

So, we, as concerned, respectful citizens should move? That's great to encourage for the city. Smoking weed is one thing. Hanging out to all hours of the night, letting little children as young as 3-4 run up and down the street with no adult supervision, throwing trash onto the sidewalks, blocking traffic as they approach the windows of cars passing by and chat as if everyone else is on their time, that's another...(one little kid ran into my house the other day when I opened the door - said he wanted to see my home - can you imagine if he chose the wrong house)... Heartbreaking. Regardless of where you live, kids being raised in such an environment and citizens treating others like this should be everyone's concern....

Contact DHS and report this.

http://www.phila.gov/dhs/contact.html

If I and people like me had followed Opie's advice 27 years ago it would be a much different area than it is. We've always had a great neigborhood and one reason is that we didn't move.

Yeah if you can't lock them up for the weed, maybe you can get their kids taken away! Maybe then they'll move. Go drink your booze inside with your air conditioning and stop worrying about what the poor people do on their steps. It is summertime. Chill.

Install a bright porch light and a security camera that points towards the street.

These buildings are owned by the Philadelphia Housing Authority. I will contact SOSNA next week. The tenants have a history of threatening, arrogant and criminal behaviors. One and one-half years ago a SWAT team raided one of these buildings. Open air drug use and threatening behaviors do not make for a stable or safe neighborhood. And excuse me, Opie, but this blog is not a venue for making accusations about those who post to it.

Porch dwellers maddogging, making threats, displaying lewd behavior, smoking drugs, dealing drugs? Here's the root of all of the problems--PHA. 1809, 1813,1815,1827,1829,1831,1833 and1835 Carpenter are all PHA properties. This is just one of many examples of how PHA and Scattered Sites destroy our neighborhoods. There is absolutely no oversight of any of these properties by PHA and many filled with illegal tenants, convicted criminals, drug addicts, and dealers who all living on the tax payers dime.

Over the weekend, the same PHA tenants had a "block party" and blocked off the streets without police permission. Wires tied between utility poles blocking entrance to Carpenter and exit from Dorrance. Your tax dollars at work!

They did come around a few weeks ago and asked neighbors to signed a petition so that they could have a block party for their kids going back to school. I signed it.

I didn't realize this meant smoking weed in the street and blasting rap music (with unsuitable lyrics for small kids) was part of it. I won't be signing their petition next year.

Of course they'll celebrate the beginning of school. Why shouldn't they? Their kids are nothing more than an additional welfare check to them. Those of school age can now be taken care of by the teachers since their single mothers simply do not believe that they need to take any responsibility to raise them. By the way, the PHA and HCV houses on Fitzwater and 22nd street did the same thing--a block party over the weekend to celebrate the beginning of school--drugs and all...

Is this still a current problem on this block?

A bunch of the neighbors from the surrounding areas and streets met with the nice lieutenant from the 17th regarding this block. I forget the lieutenant's name right now, but SHE was very nice and said when we report to her, she will pass on the specifics to appropriate people. There is definitely dealing going on there too.

oh wow. I was thinking of buying on this block but I found this message board and it makes me very concerned.

I've lived on Dorrance Sreet for several years (right down the street from 1850) and haven't had any true "safety issues." I love the neighborhood and my
neighbors. The area is full of very friendly residents - old/ new and diverse - who are invested in the area. You see growth everywhere around us. But there are a couple of PHA homes (not all) that are a concern, which has been brought to PHA's and the police's attention, from what I understand. It has gotten noticeably better. But the residents, unfortunately, are a bit inconsiderate of their neighbors when it comes to noise and children who are unattended and they do seem to have some seedy visitors who come late at night, block driveways/streets (often on Dorrance), blast music, talk loudly out in the street - sometimes for an hour or so, etc. Many of the visitors drive very high end cars (Cadillacs, Infinities) with tinted windows - so you can't see who's inside, making them intimidating to approach. The cops are usually very helpful at clearing them, when necessary. This used to be an every week occurrence - but over the last year or so, it happens more like once every couple of months (if that). It can just be periodically disruptive for everyone sleeping on a work night. Living in the city, you're going to find issues in every neighborhood. All things considered, I feel safe on my street and have the sense these issues are definitely improving. And I love being so close to center city. Hope this is helpful!