May 11, 2011
To the Editor:

They say that if you have an infinite number of monkeys, each banging on an infinite number of typewriters, they will eventually type out the complete works of Shakespeare. If we had a few more of us banging on keyboards, could we clean up Northeast? Follow me for a minute.

I felt compelled to write a letter to expand on Charles Melton’s letter that was printed this past week. In his letter, he writes “Neighborhood Preservation Codes is a reactive agency, not proactive, mainly because of budgetary problems.”

A frustrating situation. So, let’s all go home, sit in our jammies and cry into our tea. Or gripe incessantly about the city and the neighborhood and move out. Or bang on our typewriters.

Here is what I have found. After reporting violations, I typically see efforts on behalf of the property owner to improve the situation within a couple or so weeks. And, to their credit, the city is extremely good at notifying you of the steps to abatement being taken.

Call me Sherlock, but the fact that I usually see action taken by property owners pretty quickly after I report violations makes me think that I am the first to report that particular case. Which leads me to believe that if more action-oriented, and not griping-only-oriented, citizens do the same, we’ll see more improvements, faster.

Can it be that easy? That we send symbols into cyberspace and the neighborhood around us gets cleaned up? Quit griping and email some violations in to the city and see for yourself.

Here’s what to do – call the action center at 311, or 513-1313. Not so hard to remember, now is it? No complaining that the process is too hard, or I will spank the back of your hand with a ruler. Emailing is way faster, though: Action.Center@kcmo.org. Obviously, they need the address and pertinent details.

The city will either send letters to inform you that they have sent a violation notice to the property owner, and then subsequent letters to let you know when the situation has been remedied, or will email you the same information.

Surprised that this works? It generally does. So, it’s your choice – keep driving by dilapidated, violating properties with piles of trash and be irked every time you see it, get in your jammies, cry in your tea, grieve about the e-tax, or take 30 seconds and send an email and watch it get cleaned up, and know you did your part. You choose.

So. Be a monkey. Bang on a typewriter. That’s my motto. Like Teddy Roosevelt said, “Walk softly, and carry a big keyboard.”

Jean Van Booven-Shook, Kansas City, Mo.