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I love Tacoma’s Hilltop.

I love my neighborhood, my neighbors, The Tacoma PD, our CLO’s and the Hilltop Action Coalition which fought to reclaim this neighborhood and still fights today.

Love is worth fighting for…

The battle to reclaim this neighborhood filled with historic homes was fought long ago by others; the turn around came after the still notorious gun battle in the 2300 block of S Ash St. (I drive by this house occasionally, and the first time I see Mr Bill Foulk in his yard, I will stop and shake his hand)

I can not take credit for any part of reclaiming this neighborhood; this was done long before my arrival.

But when I chose to buy a home here over a year ago, I made a vow to be a part of the (continuing) solution.

Notorious slumlords whose numerous properties have and continue to be the subject of continual complaints, sources of illegal activity, in various states on disrepair and more often than not house criminals and drug dealers include: Demetrius Pye, Peter Porietis and the notorious Paul Post.

While the city of Tacoma is not enforcing the Nuisance Ordnance as they should be, perhaps due to fear of lawsuits (hey, given the lack of enforcement against and cowtowing to Clear Channel is anyone really surprised?) despite the best efforts of our police department, the neighbors are pissed and are fighting back.

Some residents near S 8th and S Cushman Streets, after receiving push back rather than cooperation from Mr Poretas (who oh, by the way does not live in the neighborhood) decided to fight back on their own when a problem house on their block came up for rent.

A friend and I took a drive this afternoon to find the signs we heard about and talk to some of the neighbors who after failed attempts to convince the slumlord (Mr Poretas) to correct the problem have made it very clear that they are not going to just sit back and take it.

We found four of these signs. This one was our favorite.

From Drop Box

Take warning criminals and especially you slumlords.

The neighbors are watching and are taking action which includes but is not limited to: walk abouts, video surveillance, photographing drug dealers and their vehicles, setting off car alarms and spotlighting late night activity and pushing the city to enforce the law/codes.

We love this neighborhood and unlike you are invested in it.

We are Tacoma’s Hilltop. We are Gritty and we will win.

~L

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