Sacramento County is marshaling resources in areas of the unincorporated County that have suffered from a high number of foreclosed homes, devaluation of commercial corridors and neighborhoods, and increased crime.
“With the worst of the recession behind us, we can begin to focus on some of the more mature neighborhoods that are the backbone of the County,”
said County Executive Bradley J. Hudson. “We intend to work with residents to restore neighborhoods and create a sense of pride.”
The County is embarking on a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to address problem areas. Code Enforcement, Probation and Sheriff teams will focus on property and criminal elements. Probation Officers, with the assistance of POP Officers (Problem Oriented Policing), and Code will evaluate properties and investigate negligent property owners. They will research crime history on certain properties prior to Code Enforcement staff going to the residence to ensure safety.
By working together, we’ll be better able to get comprehensive results in an area as we address public and private property and crime issues,” said Lori Moss, Director of Community Development. “Working in teams, aided by our newly adopted regulatory ordinances as part of the 'Neighborhood Livability Initiative' we will gain compliance from problem properties.”
The newer codes set specific standards for landscaping and blight issues, and answer questions such as “how high does grass have to be overgrown to warrant Code Enforcement’s involvement?” When residents complain about unkempt properties and want something done there are now clear guidelines to address the issues.
As part of the effort, a comprehensive clean-up will take place in the North Highlands area on October 12 from 8 a.m. to noon. Code Enforcement, Probation, Waste Management and Recycling, Sheriff’s Department, Atlas Disposal of Sacramento and a host of volunteers will team up for a 4-hour clean-up to remove extra junk and rubbish. They will provide large waste bins and remove trash and debris at no cost to residents. At the same time, they will be connecting with residents on blight issues that may require additional follow-up.
“When residents see the County actively responding to problem properties and removing problem individuals, it will do a lot to get citizens engaged in their neighborhoods again,” said Carl Simpson, Code Enforcement Chief. “With the Sheriff and Probation departments, we will begin by focusing on areas with the highest need,” said Simpson. “Not only will the team-approach provide extra safety for employees, it will allow criminal activity to be dealt with on the spot.”
To enforce this effort, a Community Prosecutor will be brought into the District Attorney’s office, and set up office at the Marconi Sheriff station. “Having a dedicated prosecutor will go a long way to enforce the regulations and increase effectiveness of the neighborhood cleanups,” said Karen Maxwell, Assistant Chief Deputy District Attorney. “We’ve applied for a grant to fund an additional prosecutor and Code Enforcement officer, and cover additional Sheriff costs.”
For more information, visit Code Enforcement’s website. To report an issue, click on the “Contact Your Code Chief.”
