While it is easy to identify with peoples’ property rights, it’s also easy to identify with homeowners’ responsibility to perform basic upkeep on their properties.
Ellicott District Councilman Darius Pridgen has unveiled a new ‘shamelord’ sign in front of a home on Orange Street in the Fruit Belt, spurred by a common frustration amongst community residents and stakeholders who want their neighborhood to rebound, but hit a wall when it comes to certain properties.
“The owner is not responding to our requests to take care of this property. This is a neighborhood that has fought to come back,” says Pridgen. “It is my job to fight for the people and with the people to make sure that properties such as this do not remain an eyesore in our community.”
Even in particularly blighted city blocks, there are homeowners and community members fighting not just to prevent the slide, but to turn things around. But there’s only so much they can do.
“This is actually our second sign and you’re going to see more to come. We’re sending out a clear message in Ellicott (District). Take care of your property or sell it. But if not, this will be one of the results.”