Monday, July 12, 2010

Keith Reitman "Slumlord Window" Trial Postponed...

Contributed photo, blog post by John Hoff

Johnny Northside Dot Com previously reported on a trial scheduled for today, in which North Minneapolis slumlord Keith Reitman is being sued over a small child falling from a window of his "ugly ass chocolate brown building" on the 1400 block of West Broadway. This is the third documented instance of a child falling from a building owned by Keith Reitman, by Reitman's own admission under oath.

However, today's trial has been delayed due to "issues the judge is taking under advisement" according to one of the judge's clerks. It is unknown when the trial will resume.

(Do Not Click "Read More")

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

JNS said: "...by Reitman's own admission under oath."

But JNS, is it of any value if it is not "sworn to.." (using Spaky Pete Voice)?

Patrick said...

Thanks for the update John. Great to have JNS keeping us updated on local legal issues.

Johnny Northside! said...

Replying to the first anonymous poster in a Spanky Pete voice:

SWORN TO!!! SWORN TO UNDER OATH!!!!

By the way, when I was at the courthouse today, I ran into one of the folks who hangs out at the law library all day. I'm told Spanky Pete has made himself scarce for about a month.

Anonymous said...

Patrick sucks.

Patricia said...

Patrick's a troll. But this is great news to have. Thanks John.

Windows are way too easy to get out of. There needs to be a way to lock those down so that no one can get out, much less a toddler.

la_vie_en_rose said...

Lock them down so that no one can get out? Even in case of a fire?

Oh, I get it, "Patricia". Funny for the pot to call out Patrick on trolling.

Barry Hussein said...

I think you can now get windows that require a 6 digit code to open. This would add great security to apartment and rental housing and still allow for escape during a fire. Perhaps to renew a rental license the building is retrofitted with these type of windows?

Johnny Northside said...

Honestly, all that was needed here were REGULAR WINDOWS WELL SECURED. But that wasn't the case, the window in question was reportedly "jerry built."

Ralph Mouth said...

I thought you said that hurricane proof screen or shutters would be what was needed to prevent it. Which is it John?

Johnny Northside! said...

Troll proof screens would be a better idea, actually.

All that was needed LEGALLY were well-secured screens. If a child had plunged through the screen, but the screen had been well-secured, Reitman probably wouldn't have to deal with a lawsuit. So all that was NEEDED (legally) was a well-secured screen.

HOWEVER, since there's a discussion about how this happens ALL THE TIME, I have to wonder if there isn't a better kind of window screen that would prevent this sort of thing.

Anonymous said...

I think there is a better kind of screen to prevent a child from falling out of a window...

it's called a parental screen. A fully functioning parental screen would surely prevent this sort of thing.

Anonymous said...

Jerry built? Is that like Jerry Moore built $5000 window screens.
Cpt. Jack

la_vie_en_rose said...

I don't know. I've lived in a lot of upstairs apartments, and even the more secure windows are still not that secure when you're dealing with a kid who is determined to screw around with something they shouldn't be. The only way to be certain that the kid isn't going to harm themselves is to keep the windows locked and shut (even that's not a surefire way unless the windows are painted shut, and you can't budge them)...or parents need to keep an eye on them. I truly know how difficult it is (I've got two very curious children who are into everything imaginable), but you have to do it.

NoMi Neighbor said...

I am sure there is no absolutely perfect answer, but I am a fan of double-hung windows which, for the most part, allow for the upper sashes to be lowered in addition to (or in this case INSTEAD OF) the lower sashes being raised.

This allows for air movement but not on a level that a child can reach, at least without a ladder or furniture to climb up to the screen with.

Most double-hung windows do have this capability, but in cases where they have been painted, the upper sashes are often painted shut.

This problem can, of course, be remedied through proper restoration of the windows.

I find this to be safer than the BS casement windows (which open sideways) that so many owners are encouraged to replace (original and attractive) double-hungs with in our city.

emma. said...

most newer windows come with little stoppers that you can pop out so the window can only go up say 3" or so. this is also a means of safeguarding your home from intruders.

if windows don't already have these they can be purchased at any hardware store. there is even super cheap kind that is a suction cup that you put as high as you would like the window to open.

of course some kids can figure this stuff out if they're trying but it is a huge added safeguard to have a window not open all the way for both the people inside the house you don't want falling out and the people on the outside of the house you don't want getting in.

if i were a landlord i would probably install these on all windows, just in case. when we soon get new windows i will be adding these to the first floor if they don't come with the windows and will add them to the second floor when we have kids. most certainly.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 1051 hit it right on the nose.I know Reitman is just another swindling scam artist laughing all the way to the bank.His lovely hometown of SHITCAGO sends their best and brightest rejects to wreak continuous havoc on our city and slowly try to turn it into little SHITCAGO,Anon 1051 simply states that parents keep a better eye on their children.I have six brothers and sisters and we grew up in low income housing and none of us ever fell out a damn window even when they were wide open with no screen.Do not tell me a damnedthing about how hard it is nowadays to raise children because what i see all around me;Downtown,Northside,Southside,Northeast,Southeast,Dinkytown.Frogtown,Uptown and all around ONE MORE TIME!These silly irresponsible individuals of many skin pigmentation backrounds, for those about to drop the race card,not having ANY business having children because their parental skills suck and they dont give adamn about their kids till the first of the month.The standards these days for Housing are much stricter than they have ever been. Reitman is a piece of shit and actually looks like a F****** relative of Mental Pete.Hey! IDEA! Put a Picture of the perverted F*** on the inside by the top floor windows and scare the hell out of your kids and they wont go near the damn windows.Hey Pete where the hell ya been?I know where you're going and Reitman is going to be in a cell not far from you arranging a deal to sell you for a cigarette.Have a good day because they are numbered....both of you.

Anonymous said...

Where in the world is Keith Reitman? Not at JACC Housing or the Board meeting. Is there something we don't know?