Meeting of UNIT Officers with City Officials

The following account of the meeting with the UNIT officers and City Officials was shared with Tech Terrace/UNIT News by Cyd Seideman. Thank you Rambling write up of TT-UNIT officers meeting with City of Lubbock officials and administrators: Met w/Lee Ann Dumbald, Mike Martin, Marjorie Manning, James Mahan and me (Cyd) from TT-UNIT neighborhood – Tom Martin, Lee Ann Dumbald, Dale Holton + two members of police department (one works with Codes) and Stuart Walker of Codes Enforcement City Manager initiated meeting and asked police to give us a play by play on the events of the recent party/assault in our neighborhood as they had them recorded – we all discussed that a bit, and got to the point of the meeting, which evidently was to reassure us that they were 100% in the same corner and determined to strengthen compliance in whatever area they could Not a meeting of angry homeowners – just determined – our position is that we would not leave that meeting without a clear path to action, like we have done so many times – we have resources that we pledge to use to act on the civil side of the law – to strongly influence the actions of tenants and landlords Our stance has never been that we are mad at the city or the police – the police have exact procedures they must follow to ensure my liberty as well as that of someone whom I perceive threatening that in some manner, but we all had to agree that what we laid out early in January as a worst case scenario had occurred – and that we simply had to get our act together as citizens of Lubbock – not as just our neighborhood – this directly impacts Lubbock and the perception of Tech and the city for protection and action and most of all SUPPORT of plain old citizens We agreed that we should stay out of the criminal side – leave that to them – but they were made known that we would be immediately and directly involved with re-writing the codes that we thought could better protect our personal safety and enjoyment of our neighborhoods – which are the R-1 residential zoning codes that are in place but not easily enforced, support for the police when they do enforce, and most of all, a commitment that I will put my faith in that ENFORCEMENT at the judicial level will take place – these cases will NOT be dismissed because they are not easily tried or someone pleads out. Mr. Medina promised that and I believe him. And since I intend to be personally involved in this, I will be able to prove it! The unfortunate realization of all of this is that we don’t live in the same world anymore where you can go out and calm or intimidate a group of drunk students into behaving - they seem like your kids, but nowadays they have not be reared in the same manner – sounds like the old lady talk stuff, but I have three sons who would never dream of cursing at a neighbor even when they were drunk – but that is no longer true. We can’t be nice any more – we have to know that we must take care of such matters civilly – and be ready to do it through knowledge of the system – lease wording, R-1 zoning definition knowledge and communication to new homeowners, willingness to finance legal counsel to help in notification to homeowners and their tenants when codes are broken from parking to blocking sidewalks to disruptive parties, instituting a kind of neighborhood watch for when new back apartments are being built without permits – just awareness of what remedies there are Judicial enforcement was the greatest tool we took from today’s meeting – police will often not ticket when they know the case will just be thrown out – that won’t happen anymore – there will be more meat in the codes that could have helped mediate this before it ever happened – and the feeling of how appalling this incident was from normal citizens who are our mayor, and administrative leaders was good to see – the awareness from them that we have to be finished with talking – they and we are ready to act Living in Tech Terrace–UNIT should be a privilege and honor – not just fun.

More Developments In Last Week's Incident

Below are images of the house in question at 3202 22nd Street.

Neighbor attacked files lawsuit.

http://lubbockonline.com/stories/022510/loc_567339073.shtml

Alleged attacker comes forward.

http://newsradio1420.com/newsradio/newsMaker.asp?storyID=27087

UNIT officers meet with City Officials.

http://www.kcbd.com/global/story.asp?s=12041058

More details from the meeeting of UNIT officers with City Officials will be posted when received.

Neighborhoods Facing Similar Behavioral Issues

The Lower Greenville Neighborhood in Dallas faces behavioral issues due to a high concentration of bars in the area. One resident has taken a novel approach to address the situation by documenting the bad behavior in the area.

http://www.barkingdogs.org/news/

UNIT Neighborhood Association To Meet

GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION Thursday March 25th. @ 5:30pm Hutchinson Middle School Cafeteria 3102 Canton Proposed agenda: · By-Law adoption · Proposed new by-laws · Wagner Park · Tour de Tech Terrace · Report on meeting with Tech and City Officials Additional agenda items can be sent to Michael Martin.

UNIT on the Todd Klein Show

UNIT residents will be guests during the 5:00 hour of the Todd Klein radio show on KRFE AM 580 to discuss recent events in the neighborhood. Residents are encouraged to call in show to share their thoughts and opinions. The call in number is 745-5800. Make sure your voice is heard.

Trouble on 22nd Street

Tech students partying has hit a new low point this past Saturday night. Residents in the 3200 block of 22nd Street have been plagued by loud parties all year. But on Saturday night some drunk girl crossed the line. The following email was send out by Sherry Grusendorf. My name is Sherry Grusendorf. My husband, James, and I have lived at 3207 22nd Street in Tech Terrace for 23 years. I am 62 years old with two grown children and five grandchildren. My husband has been a business owner in Lubbock for over 30 years and I recently retired after 23 years as church secretary at Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church. Ours was a lovely, quite neighborhood until 3 years ago when a group of 4 members of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity moved into a home across the street. The home was purchased by out-of-town parents of one of the students. At first the parties were mostly tolerable. But in the past 2 years they have increased in numbers and abuse of the neighborhood. We have called the police many, many times and have had zoning out because none of the four young men living in the residence are related. Nothing has worked. Last night was the absolute worst evening you could imagine. About 7 p.m. the cars and trucks started arriving (no party busses this time), blocking drives, tossing beer cans and bottles into yards and driveways, young men and women were urinating in neighbors yards, vomiting, cursing. At one point there was at least 100 to 150 students in the front yard, in the home and in the back yard and at least 50 vehicles lined our street for more than three blocks. The police were called by more than one neighbor at 9:30 p.m. due to the noise and unruly behavior. At 10:00 p.m. I found a young lady 18-20 years of age laying in my front yard, drunk. When I bent down to inquire if she needed help, I was attacked by another broken-beer-bottle welding young lady. She grabbed me around the neck, threw me to the ground and began to kick me. All I could do was scream at the top of my lungs and try to keep her away. I have a lacerated thumb from the broken bottle and visible marks on my throat where she grabbed me. Remember I am not a teenager anymore. Thankfully another neighbor heard my screams and along with two young men attending "party" ran to my aid and pulled her off me. I was a little shaken up and bloody but otherwise unharmed. Again the police were called by my neighbors and myself. I filled out an assault report and will press charges against the young lady. She has not been arrested, but, the police have her car description and license plate number. I am asking what else can be done to stop this miserable atmosphere in our neighborhood. The police that responded were very courteous, but, advised us to "Just stay inside when they have a party." I will not be held hostage in my own home 2 or 3 nights each week while some spoiled brats from Texas Tech have an all-out brawl two doors down. After each party many neighbors spend their mornings cleaning up the trash, broken bottles, and vomit from our yards. We are sick of this. Do we need to hire a lawyer to get the codes enforced? Does some bystander or child have to be sent to hospital (I was almost there) by these Frat boy's or their guest's before something is done? What can we do as homeowners to see that the laws and codes now on the books at City Hall are taken seriously. Todd Klein is our Councilman for this area, but, has yet to respond to any of our requests concerning this Party House. What other steps can we take? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I never thought I would ever consider moving from our home in Tech Terrace, but, I'm getting to the point where this is may be a very real possibility. Other neighbors are considering the same thing. And when I move, it will be out of the city of Lubbock. Idalou and Wolfforth never seem to have the problems with "Illegal Fraternity Party House's." Sincerely yours, Sherry Grusendorf 3207 22nd Street Local news also picked up this story http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=12021124 video ... http://www.kcbd.com/global/video/flash/popupplayer.asp?ClipID1=4563043&h1=Residents%20of%20Tech%20Terrace%20draw%20the%20line%20after%20party%20turns%20violent&vt1=v&at1=News&d1=138000&LaunchPageAdTag=News&activePane=info&rnd=28581649

More Traffic Issues in UNIT Neighborhood

The following was sent to UNIT News by resident Tai Kreidler. It illustrates the growing traffic issues we face. I firmly believe this and the wrong sided parking are issues that need to be discussed. Traffic around Roscoe Wilson is borderline ridiculous as well but that is topic for another day. From: Tai Kreidler Sent: Fri, January 29, 2010 Subject: Accidents on 3000 block of 26th Recently it has become increasingly dangerous for residents and their guests to park their cars on the street at the 3000 block of 26th. In the last two weeks there have been two hit and run incidents on resident cars. The first incident occurred on January 22 and the other two weeks before--Jan 4 or 5. Both involved out of area vehicles with cars parked on the street. Both accidents occurred at night. The most recent incident occurred at 3012 and the other accident at 3006. In the latter, the resident at 3006 reported that an elderly woman was responsible and initially fled the scene. She was later identified. Tragically, the woman later struck and killed a pedestrian elsewhere in the city. Unfortunately, the hit and run driver involved with the incident at 3012 was not apprehended. It may be time to seriously consider traffic calming stratagems for 26th Street as well. Tai Kreidler Thanks Tai.

Neighbors Urged To Be Vigilant

The following was shared with UNIT News for general distribution. Just a warning.... Wed, February 3, 2010 12:30:22 PM From: "Paulk, Elizabeth" To: "techterraceunitnews@yahoo.com" Every one is probably aware that there are companies who hire groups of kids from out of town to go door to door pretending to do “public relations” work when really they are trying to sell magazines. We had one such individual who came to the house last night at 8:30pm (it was dark) and was not up front about selling the magazines in his speech. Also he was very rude when we refused to buy any. My husband is a police detective with more than 8 years on the street and 5 years in SWAT. He went out of the house to find this guy, and when he did, my husband started to ask him a few questions – where did he live, does he have a license to sell things door to door etc…. All he got in return was lies from the magazine guy: he was a TTU student, he was a nursing student, he was a freshman (there are no nursing students who are freshmen) etc. and in the end, David managed to spook the guy out of the neighborhood. However, I just wanted to warn other neighbors that these guys were mounting a fresh attack and would probably be back. They are very forward and seem nice, but their motives are not altruistic. I would love to know if there was something we could do about these, but we have found that the quickest/safest way to get rid of them is to ask for their copy of the City-issued selling license (which they probably won’t have) and refuse to buy their magazines. He came in the dark, Tech Terrace is not well lit, and I felt at risk from this guy. Just wanted to warn other people about these folks – they are not legitimate in any way, shape or form. Thanks liz