Phoenix residents buy gates to block alleys — with city’s blessing
Dec 14, 2018, 4:44 AM
PHOENIX — Some Phoenix residents in the Royal Palm and Sunnyslope neighborhoods spent their own money to put up gates to block off alleys, and they had the city’s help.
“We feel like the alleys are just a thoroughfare for criminals to enter through the backs of people’s houses,” said Hillary Rusk of Sunnyslope.
“There are people illegally dumping in the alleys.”
Rusk and others pooled $2,500 of their own money for each gate.
Phoenix neighborhood begins pilot program to close alleyways: https://t.co/AFZRPkPMOv #abc15 pic.twitter.com/MosoGSAnCs
— ABC15 Arizona (@abc15) December 13, 2018
Planning and Development team leader Eric Buskirk said Phoenix had requirements because it controls rights of way.
“As far as the locking mechanism that goes on them, so that access to the utility companies, the fire department, other city staff and residents can get in,” he said.
The alley gates must also be transparent, but residents get to keep the keys.
Rusk said neighbors began their movement for alley gates two years ago when a man exposed himself to two girls.
