Assistant District Attorney Andrew Carobus of the office's Public Nuisance Task Force.

There’s a lot that goes into reporting a nuisance property in the City of Philadelphia, and a lot of things that can come from it. Assistant District Attorney Andrew Carobus reviewed the process at last night’s Holmesburg Civic Association meeting.

Carobus is part of the office’s Public Nuisance Task Force, with handles the acquisition and auction of problem properties.

“We can’t promise you something will be done overnight,” he explained to the more than 30 people at the meeting. But, he said, the more detailed a report on a property is, and the more often neighbors call, the better the memo the DA’s office can create to help address the problem. continue reading »

Q: I am looking for a home to buy in Northeast Philadelphia but I am worried about who my neighbors will end up being. Is there a place to research neighborhoods for sex offenders? How about crime statistics?

A: It is not that difficult to find a house for sale you’ll love. The market supply is plentiful, and prices, mortgage rates and tax incentives make it the perfect storm to buy. But what if the neighbors turn out to be a problem, or it’s next door to a sex offender? Luckily Megan’s Law requires sex offenders to register their addresses, but the research falls on you. continue reading »

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Heated arguments broke out at last night’s East Torresdale Civic Association meeting, where residents and board members collided over a zoning issue, causing many of them to walk out vowing never to return.

A variance to allow twin homes to be built using outdated zoning policies set off a slew of sidebar conversations and angry tangents, despite a signed petition’s from the property owner’s neighbors. continue reading »