Posted by
Ninas
16 yrs ago
hi,
we've just moved to a beautiful ground floor appartment with a huge teracce. it now happened the second time that some people are not careful enough and accidently (i hope it is accidently) drop things out of their windows. yesterday a massive glass vase fell just next to me. i have a toddler and was planning in putting up a sand pit and creaing a nice outdoor area for her. but with things falling on my terrace i'm too scared to even step a foot outside. unfortunately we are not allowed to put up awnings. does anyone have an idea, how to create
a shelter, so we can actually use the terrace? we've bought a huge sun umbrella already, but this will cover only a tiny part.
thanks for any kind of advice
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In any case an awning or umbrella affords only very limited protection. Many buildings have restrictions against stuff on outside windowsills. You should definitely talk to management.
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Ninas
16 yrs ago
i did talk to management already. they don't do much. i also had the police here, but they don't do much either.
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Ouch. Well, you could talk to the neighbors in question. Still, I foresee no good resolution.
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Ninas
16 yrs ago
i took a photo of the vase and wrote a letter which i put in all mailboxes of the flats above me.
it just makes me so angry that we do have the space now (and that in hong kong) and cannot use it :(
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Who in their right mind would throw a massive glass vase out of their window. In the eighties in Hong Kong there used to be a public service announcement about throwing stuff out the window, and it was illustrated with a rather tacky drama of someone throwing a massive CRT television from their balcony at least ten stories up, and that hitting someone.
At the time I thought the advertisement was a bit of a joke, I mean who would do that? and I was only young then but clearly.....
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could you build something like the attached and cover the top with lexan sheets?
http://www.backyardamerica.com/images/Pergola-oct-06-012.jpg
you would have to secure it to the floor however...
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schen
16 yrs ago
Hi Nina
We had exactly the same problem - while we had a tenant someone dropped (or threw) down a pound of steak and dumbbells on separate occasions. Allowing objects to be dropped that may cause harm (whether intentionally or not) is a criminal offence and you should urge your management to put up notice. The police should take action and investigate if you report it promptly (that is their job), especially if you report it on the day it occurs.
Actually now we have a different problem, we have a back terrace which the windows of bathrooms face out onto. People have been throwing used sanitary napkins out the window which is pretty disgusting. We got it cleaned up a couple of times and put up notices but it's still continuing, technically the napkins aren't "dangerous" since they are so light. Sigh. Some people in HK just have no thought for others.
As for building something on your terrace - have you checked your Deed of Mutual Covenant as to what might be permitted?
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Gucci
16 yrs ago
Hi Ninas, have the same problem as I've got one large patio n one small one, close together tho on two sides of the flat. Here's sth I observed, the larger one I decorated with fake grass, flowers, vines etc. n made it look really nice (coz I can't look after real plants to save my life!) n it hasn't had any garbage thrown on it for the 6 months I've been here.
The smaller patio I left alone coz it had flooded over into my bedroom n still waiting for the landlord to sort it out (but that's another story) and on that was thrown stuff like broken glass, cigarettes, newspapers, used tissues, broken pipes n renovation rubbish from a Brit (sadly it's not just the locals who indulge).
Re the awning, try your luck with the buildings dept. With my last flat I had a rooftop and tho the landlord told me I could put up an awning, the building mgt said no without quoting any docs. So I contacted the buildings dept. n they told me, very vaguely, that I should have a contractor draw up plans for a structure n then they would send over a guy to approve it n then I could go ahead n build it. I requested guidelines in advance which they couldn't provide!
Try a 2-pronged approach, strategically place some large kid's toys across the terrace to send a message there's a toddler at risk, spruce it up n see how it goes while u talk to the buildings dept. Call 1823, who will pass yr case to the BD who will call u in a day or two to discuss it further. Best of Luck!
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First, push it with the police. If they seem to be doing nothing take it higher up. Beat officers seem to be getting lazier day by day here. It is a criminal offense and the officers should be doing something about it.
Gucci - racist comments have no place on here. Take it elsewhere.
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I would put a security camera that points to the windows directly above your terrace and start recording. That would at least give you some evidence when you confront the neighbor or report to the police.
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Unfortunately there is a bit of history around this topic. Things have changed a lot for the better over the years, but when I first moved to HK (the seventies) there were some old apartment buildings not far from where I worked in Happy Valley whose stairwells were covered in rubbish. It was commonplace for rubbish to be thrown out of windows - especially the odd used tampon.
In traditional village life people thrw their garbage out of the windows - used to, I hasten to add - basically all the rubbish was biodegradable and the pigs ate it.
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eeyew pigs eating used tampons...
then we eat the pig
ah yes the cycle of life
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"The girl on the top floor used to throw her used tampons out of the window into the bushes outside my window. Why- you may ask, surely she could flush them?"
Actually you should never flush tampons. Together with sanitary napkins they clog drains. Of course this doesn't mean you should throw them out of the window!
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Ed
16 yrs ago
Offensive comments removed.
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Gucci
16 yrs ago
Bashing police hardly seems constructive to solving Ninas problem as they are helpless without a culprit/s to crack down on. Agree with fizzfuzz that a camera would help with this speedily.
In my case, the Brit's renovation rubbish was the major problem n as it's one flat per floor, it was easily identifiable n she didn't deny it was hers. Yet it kept coming. Following my lazy landlord's refusal to intervene, I finally called 1823 for help, who said they would pass my case to the Environmental Protection n Hygiene Dept. ("EPHD"). I was surprised to get a call a few days later from a police officer, who explained that the EPHD had passed the case to them as it involved throwing of dangerous items which endangered me. He wanted to come over for an inspection n kindly offered to put up a police warning on all floors stating the penalties of dumping rubbish as well as warn the horrible woman personally. Ever the naive n nice neighbour who didn't want to subject even a nasty neighbour to the police at that stage, I politely declined his offer. He was surprised that I was so sweet n told me that if ever the problem occured again, I should call him pronto n quote the ref no of the case. He also gave me his full name n staff no! So this very positive experience with the police being so proactive is in direct contrast to evildeeds' empty allegations ... no doubt an untold story there.
Sooooo, Ninas, hope I've restored yr faith in the HK police :-)
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"no doubt an untold story there." Many actually - and this is actually a direct accusation from a current serving officer in the HK Police force.
Being very involved locally, and married into a local family, we do have more involvement with HKP that most. Bear that in mind.
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Gucci
16 yrs ago
evildeeds, won't waste my time bearing anything u say in miind but went back to my message Inbox anyway n wasted a bit of my time reading yr rantings after I saw yr comment above (tho didn't bother to read past yr comment pasted below ... If u r a serving officer, why don't u keep yr personal frustrations to yrself instead of painting all officers with the same brush in a pubilic forum, n destroyig public confidence in an essential service? U didn't offer constructive advice to the original lister but just offloaded yr frustrations. U don't just stop there coz whenever yr name pops up in a forum u r always ranting about sth or the other n bashing s'one, using these forums as a free therapy session to offload personal baggage.
I assume "others" n the last two "they"s of the quote below from yr message to me refer to HK Police? Doesn't add up ...
"And my comments about HK police - sorry I do not buy into all this political PC stuff. I call it as it is and it is for others to step up and prove us wrong. If they are unable, or unwilling, to do that then they deserve what is written".
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first and formost you should confront the tenants about falling objects its against the law in hong kong to put things on window ledges, second complain to the police.
i had the same problem before the neighbour upstair put flower pots on our airconditioning unit, the whole became so heavy it was leaning downward. i asked repeatedly to remove the pots as it was not only damaging our AC it was a huge problem during typhoon. first the lady was nice and when i saw that even after 2 days they havent removed the posts i spoke to the husband who was very rude. i called themanagement office and then they removed the pots.
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I conduct external wall surveys via abseiling down the sides of buildings so have spent more than my fair share of time in places that most will never see. The garbage that gets thrown out of high rise windows is truly disgusting. It's probably because it is so disgusting that they throw it as opposed to bin it.
Falling objects is a common problem. Either intentional or otherwise. I personally have been hit by a head shaped lump of masonry whilst on rope. Not a pleasant experience.
Anyway...as correct and well intentioned all the talk of reporting to management/police etc, it will never protect against building decay from falling into the terrace and hitting your children.
Loose tiling, loose concrete, broken windows, etc, etc.
Many buildings I survey are in dire need of repair. I abseiled down a wall one day and reported an entire section( 2 floors high by 2 flats wide) of mosaic tiling that had de-bonded from the concrete substrate. Came to work the next day and the section had fallen 30 floors to the ground. Luckily the area had been cordoned off and no one was injured.
My point being, if you really want to use the space safely, build an awning or structure that covers the area and make sure the roofing medium is strong enough to withstand a heavy shock load, ie. don't use untempered glass as a roofing medium.
That will give you protection. Nothing the building management or police can do will protect you from 25 square metres of tiling landing on you from the top floor.
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Ed
16 yrs ago
I would suggest you see if the police will give you a letter indicating that they are investigating falling objects with an indication that it is a criminal offence with potential jail time involved if anyone is caught.
If the police won't give you a letter perhaps you can write one yourself letting other tenants know that the police are investigating - you might also indicate that surveillance cameras have been installed to help find the culprit
Ask the management company to post the letter in the lobby (or if they are uncooperative, make copies and drop them into all mail boxes). I suspect your problems will end rather quickly.
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Gucci - please for once and all stop following me around! You messaged me about my posting to a racist comment. I explained to you it was to do with the White T***h comment which Ed has now removed. You didn't read this and then accused me of being a Brit who throws rubbish into your garden. And again you have not read my last post correctly. I am not a serving police officer but have many friends, both Western and Chinese who are. Please, please read properly as I have implored you to do before.
In regard to the issue with the OP I agree with Ed above and as I first said. Go back to the police first. Move it up the food chain if you are not getting satisfaction. There are other options as suggested but I would really push it with the police.
Ringo, interesting input there. When you identify structural or external defects what is the procedure? Do you need to just inform Building Management or the Buildings Department or both? What happens if no action is taken on identified dangers?
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We make a report to our employer. Sometimes that is the building management, sometimes that is another contractor that has been called in for repairs or maintenance.
Depending on the contractor, they may ask to be immediately informed of what we'd consider dangerous to the public but they generally wait till the final report before any notification.
We've never followed up what the contractor does with the report.
As a rule, we carry a bag to dispose of bricks, loose rubble, fallen tiles etc for our own piece of mind. It's not what we're contracted to do but I'd hope that none of my workers would leave a brick balanced on an ac unit 30 floors up.
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Ed
16 yrs ago
Ooooh so much animosity here.... I am wearing out my fingers deleting the vitriol... remember, vitriol when mixed with grapefruit juice and a splash of cranberry makes a refreshing summer drink.
Now, everyone, join in and sing with Ed
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
I seen you 'round for a long long time
I really 'membered you when you drink my wine
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
I seen you walkin' down in Chinatown
I called you but you could not look around
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
I bring my money to the welfare line
I see you standing in it every time
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
The color of your skin don't matter to me
As long as we can live in harmony
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
I'd kinda like to be the President
so I can show you how your money's spent
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Sometimes I don't speak too bright
but yet I know what I'm talking about
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
I know you're working for the CIA
they wouldn't have you in the Mafia
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Why can't we be friends?
Now everyone, let's go back and enjoy to have our discussion about the very nasty and insanity habit of throwing bricks from windows and let us hope that the dripping water(?) from on high is from a broked AC and not....
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Ed
16 yrs ago
Re; the post I have just removed by Gucci:
If anyone takes issue with a comment on any of the forums please hit the Report Abuse option and I will judge them as if I were God (or Caesar) and remove them if I feel it is necessary to maintaining order and civility in this realm.
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Ninas
16 yrs ago
it is fun to read all the nice replies to my advice seeking mail, but from all the messages only one was helpful.
would be great to get some other ideas too
thanks nina
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