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3-On Your Side: Sidewalk Showdown

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Imagine the city damages your sidewalk. Then you're told, sorry it's up to you to fix it. That's what happened to one CBS 3 viewer.

When the 3100 block of Hutchinson street was being repaved, Betty Gilliam never expected her sidewalk would be ruined in the process.  She says the roadwork had compromised the strength of her pavement.

'They dug under some kind of way with a machine, trash truck comes along, steps on my pavement, breaks it up," said Gilliam.

When her daughter asked the paving crew if the crumbled sidewalk would be repaired they told her no.

"They said it was my responsibility," said Gilliam.

Betty was outraged. She had recently paid to have her sidewalk replaced plus she was worried it was a danger. One for which she would be held responsible.

"I couldn't deal with the broken sidewalk because if someone falls and hurt themselves, a kid or an adult. Or even a car for that matter, it would have been on me," said Gilliam.
So, she reached out to CBS 3 and we did a little digging.

Turns out, the work crew was wrong. Betty didn't have to pay for the repair.

After our call, the city investigated, they found evidence to show Betty's damaged sidewalk was linked to the recent paving project -- and they were quick to fix it.

"The city came out and they patched it up," said Gilliam.

But they also wanted us to know that the city has a hotline to help in situations like this.  It's called Philly 311.

Jeffery China says call takers help residents deal with a variety of problems.

"We take calls from everything from streets to license and inspection," said China.

Like many residents, Betty wasn't aware of the hotline.

"I didn't know that I could call that," said Gilliam.

In the future, she knows where to turn. But for now, she's just happy her sidewalk has been fixed. Making it a 3 on your side, problem solved.

"Channel 3 did a wonderful job. I have to say thank you, thank you so very much," said Gilliam.

If you're a Philadelphia resident and need the city's help, just call 311.

They say they'll take your information and get it in the right hands.

They'll also give you a number that allows you to track the progress of your request.  You can track that online as well.

http://www.phila.gov/311

Reported by Jim Donovan, CBS 3.


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