Even with only seven members of the Common Council at their seats Tuesday night, the Aldermen are poised to enact the long overdue “Nuisance Abatement Law”. Teetsel is away and Reynolds will preside as Council President in Nobles absence.
Former UCDA Don Williams crafted this proposal in the waning months of his tenure, and with the support of law enforcement, and public officials of every stripe, he will see the hard work pay off.
This law has teeth. The worst cases will end up with property seizure and huge fines. The minor infractions, like toxic smells emanating from the neighbor’s property will probably see department officials visiting and guiding owners toward resolution.
The NAL gives the city, in all its pertinent departments, much needed tools to zero in on the owners of properties where there are chronic complaints of criminal activity or other nuisances.
Former UCDA Don Williams crafted this proposal in the waning months of his tenure, and with the support of law enforcement, and public officials of every stripe, he will see the hard work pay off.City residents will now deal more effectively with properties that have been the source of complaints about such things as drug dealing, prostitution and noise. I bet it would be even more popular if it helped neighbors rectify dilapidated and hazardous properties, letting our building department inspect and fine places they currently have no jurisdiction.
There will be an appellate process. The Mayor, the Fire chief and the Police chief would appoint one member apiece to a panel that would review each case that chooses to file. The panel would prefer to remedy the problems before the case elevates to criminal. That would be in everyone’s best interest.
This law has teeth. The worst cases will end up with property seizure and huge fines. The minor infractions, like toxic smells emanating from the neighbor’s property will probably see department officials visiting and guiding owners toward resolution. These are some of the steps that our government makes toward better “quality of life” standards and with neighborhood civic groups and educated property owners, we should see a gradual shift in problem properties.
7 comments:
Sorry Mike but this is one I have to see in action to ever support!
In the current economy, I see it as another example of law enforcment and court created homelessness. A task force to moderate and generate more harassment for those who can least afford it.
I know it is being tauted as the best thing since the War on drugs, the 8 track, the CB Radio and the No Child Left Behind Program. I do need to study it more and reserve judgment. Please tell us a little more about where and how it has worked up till now.Thanks...smitty
Another law which can be selectively enforced?
The building department cant do anything about the interior of the house two doors down which smells like a "body farm"
Will this make a difference? Can this new law affect the owner occupied houses as well?
We need help here.
Sorry Mike, I'm leaning to the other side on this one as well...
Because when the term --- "We're watching you" --- is used, it sounds way too "Big Brother" for me...
Plus, when you talk about the possibility of property "seizures" (hmmmmm...) the red-flashing lights on my engine start going off like crazy...
And I am a CLEAN, NON-SMELLY, LAW-ABIDING (who is to make these kinds of judgements? Don't people need HELP during these difficult times, intead of more threats?) CITIZEN!
Iyiyiyi...
I don't know whether to laugh or cry half the time anymore...
Ya' know?????
The law should NOT be a HAMMER (are we putting nails in too many coffins of late?)...
The law should be a constructive and HUMANE guide (in my opinion) to better things...
N.S. / PHOENIX
When will a copy of the law be able for Public view?
Mike, I'm alittle surprised you support this law. I suppose the masses have spoken, and I applaud your willingness to listen to what the people want.
I am concluding, from what I have read about the law, this affects LANDLORDS. But at the end of the day, it the tennents who have a CHOICE to change their habbits. So, it's not so much as an inhumane law, throwing folks out on the street for bad behavior. It's a law, giving the tennent the power.
Hello 8:09, My take on the whole enforcement end, is that it eliminates some of the loopholes that prohibit our departments from acheiving their ultimate goal.
We pay these employees to do a good job, protecting the public, eliminating health endangerments and bring the neglectful homeowners back into compliance.
As the law is implimented, we will see it evolve, since we have to see it in action to weigh its effect. We all know hot-spots that need attention. Now if only our citizens would start pointing.
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