My Comment

Code Enforcement ,inherently, has always become a "line Item" budget item when it comes to which cuts should be made in balancing a venue's budget. The problem is that this division (Code Enforcement) is usually one of the "FIRST" (if not thee first) item cut when there is an inkling that budget woes are in the forecast for the future. I, for one, have experienced just how easy it is for a venue to cut this very important and functional division.

I have always believed that code enforcement, particularly the potential use of code enforcement, has always been "under looked" when it comes to areas of deployment. Sure it is nice to have someone be the messenger in advising violators of confirmed violations existing on their property or places of business and it is always a plus when these officers can take down a public nuisance whether it be a pile of junk or a severely substandard structure, but code enforcement is much more than that when it comes to the potential health and safety risks that any venue faces at any given time.

What IF code where to have discovered the missing Jaycee Lee Dugard by being informed that Phillip Garrido was a pedophile and was not supposed to have children around him while discovering childrens clothes and toys in the back yard or what "IF" code noticed the dilapidated condition of Anthony Sowell's property and surroundings and assisted law enforcement in tracing and determining that the dead smell attributed to the old meat factory did not come from the factory. You see, we deal in hypothetical probabilities everyday and you never know what you will discover.

We all know that Law Enforcement along with Fire Services are thee most important and needed services for any venue in this nation and the world for that matter. Their willingness to face dangers and save lives in the name of public safety is second to none and should be honored and protected from any cuts or devaluation but, I argue that code enforcement is NOT that far behind.

These officer are extremely vested into their respective communities and accept the same risks (in some cases to the ultimate sacrifice) that any law enforcement or fireman do without any of the tools and extensive training that law enforcement or fire service personnel benefit from and are, in most cases, first responders in many exigent situations such as fires, vehicle accidents, assaults and other similar situations so, it is not a surprise that many in our profession have taken the time to train each other in areas such as self defense, the use of non-lethal self protection and enhanced communication skills. I also credit many law enforcement departments (once they have experienced what code enforcement offers) for understanding just how important these officers are to their objective of maintaining order and public safety for assisting these divisions with quicker response times and access to law enforcement information.

The problem is that many venues do not see code enforcement as anything more than a balancing budget maneuver when it come down to the final line, sure they talk a great line giving the public the impression that code is one of the "highest" priorities for the venue but, in the end, code goes out silently and without a battle from their management and supervision.

I think that it is time for our respective associations, venues, supervisions and states re-evaluate the very significance and unwavering value that this division brings to the table as it relates to how these divisions help sustain a MORE safer and healthier place for their residents, patrons and business community to experience.

Be Safe and Take Care.

My Comment

I am commenting on my vote related to where Code Enforcement should be placed (department) within the city.

Please keep in mind that my view is inclusive of all complaint levels but more importantly relate to issues that are specifically health and safety oriented.

I believe that code should be placed as a separate division/department of the city mainly because code is not directly/exclusively related to any "one" division or department of the city "if" there is an understanding that the officers are indeed "full spectrum". In my view, the closest department related to all of what code does and, if a separate department is not a possibility, is the Police Department.

A seasoned officer will understand that in addressing an issue (complaint) there will be a period of time when the offender will be directed to contact the administering department directly related to that particular complaint and it will be the responsibilty of that offender to adhere to the requirments set by the department, however, when the point has come that the department has exhausted all of the efforts to bring closure to the complaint (compliance) and the department has referred the issue back to the enforcement division for the "enforcement process" the enforcement division (code enforcement) must have the ability to "enforce" the issue independently but inclusive of the managing department to the point of finality whether that means the enforcement is complete or the subject voluntarily adheres to the administering department as a direct result of the efforts of the code division.

Because a majority of code divisions deal with a variety of concerns meshed within the several complaints that inundate these divisions, there is a tendency of managing divisions to lean towards centering efforts to issues that are directly related to that particular managing department; for instance, if the division is placed within, let's say, the building department; complaints directly related to that department, because of that department's direct relationship to the issue (building related complaint) tend to be looked at disproportionately to non- building related complaints. In addition, instances have occurred where the managing department has circumvented the enforcement process in favor of the offender which has resulted in the undermining of the enforcement division's efforts to achieve adequate compliance or a necessary strategy to resolve the issue.

On the other hand, for issues not directly related to that particular department, there is a probability that the department will instruct the officer incorrectly if the officer does not have the latitude to act independently of the directing department, thus the enforcement or efforts to conclude this concern are hindered, thwared or have to be re-evaluated, re-thought or restarted at a later point in the life of the complaint which will result in longer enforcement periods and/or venue legal liability.


What I have mentioned above can be said for any of the other managing departments in control of Code Enforcement. The point that I am making is that Code Enforcement is not a proprietory function of any one particular department/division but a mechanism utilized to solve the problems brought to them by any of the many sources inside and outside of the venue.

The fact is; the closure of a case, once it has reached the "enforcement" phase, must be done independently but inclusively of all of the parties involved, with all possibilties explored and with all concerns adequately allieviated.

I would appreciate your comments opposed or in favor of this comment.

Thank you.... Richard De La Cruz, founder of CodeEnforcementHelp.com

If you have comments related to your vote or anything related to Code Enforcement. Please let us know.

What would YOU do?

During the end of a VEHICLE ABATEMENT case (notices sent and jurisdiction to abate obtained) you plan to abate the vehicle. You arrive at the property and the owner of the vehicle is not there. The gate to the property is open and the vehicle is on the driveway. You knock on the door but there is no answer.

Your comments on the scenario are appreciated.... Clear and cut answer? Think again!