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.