City Howl Help Desk

Every week, we publish a column in the Daily News called the "Help Desk" that tries to fix neighborhood problems the city seems to ignore. We've gotten sinkholes filled, vacant lots cleaned up, abandoned vehicles towed and lots more, often with the help of our partners at Fox29 and WHYY's Newsworks.

We also hold weekly live chats and post Help Desk updates and other city service news on It's Our Money.

If you need help with anything city-service related or even just have a question, please get in touch with us! You can reach us at 215-854-5855, howl@phillynews.com or on Twitter @phillyhowl. You can also discuss city services at TheCityHowl.com.

Creaky wheels of justice

By Juliana Reyes

Posted 6:57am

Help Desk: A judge drops the ball by failing to issue an opinion needed for an appeal and only the plaintiff notices.

L&I house of confusion

By Juliana Reyes

Posted 05/16/2012

Help Desk: A case of mistaken identity by the city has lead a Southwest Philly woman on a wild goose chase.

This Venice Island harbors eyesore - 05/01/2012: By Juliana Reyes

City Howl Help Desk: Behind the charming boutiques of Main Street in Manayunk sits a crude shell of a building.
Early-morning dumpster blues - 04/24/2012: By Juliana Reyes

City Howl: Every Tuesday Leah Howse got a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call, courtesy of trash haulers.
City vs. delinquent property owners - 04/17/2012: By Juliana Reyes

Help Desk: Owners of Thomas W. Buck Hosiery building had the Holy Trinity of delinquent property ownership.
Neighbors: Pub's a problem - 04/11/2012: By Juliana Reyes

Help Desk: By day, Watusi Pub II is dilapidated. By night, residents say, it's a full-fledged nuisance bar.
Looking for a sign: Where's the posse to catch the bandits? - 04/04/2012: BY JULIANA REYES

PHILADELPHIANS are tired of the illegal "bandit" signs that pop up on utility poles around the city, screaming "We Buy Houses!" or "Cash 4 Junk Cars." On Monday, the Daily News reported about one citizen who's taking matters into his own hands by tearing them down. But city government is (finally) trying to find a solution, too.
Like your street? Here's how to own it - 03/28/2012: By JULIANA REYES

Help Desk: If you want to take your block private, it can be a difficult endeavor. But it can be done.
SEPTA gets in line with 'step-ups' - 03/21/2012: BY JULIANA REYES

Help Desk:Those boxes at some platforms - called "step-ups" - can require rider acrobatics.
These bottles 'gotta go!' - 03/14/2012: BY JULIANA REYES

Help Desk: The water bottles lying in a pile on Buttonwood Street were definitely not filled with water. The city didn't have a good explanation for why it failed to clean them up after the first report. But finally, the mess got taken care of.
Squeaky-clean street gets the grease - 03/07/2012: BY JULIANA REYES

One day Orianna Street looked fine. The next, there was a huge, sticky wet spot on the sidewalk.
Tired of the dog poop? Join the club - 03/01/2012: BY JULIANA REYES

There's a whole lot of poop on the sidewalks of Fairmount and the city lacks resources to help.