Operation Clean Sweep Model for City of Middletown
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: City Council
Forum Description: Discuss individual members and council as a legislative body.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=1725
Printed Date: Nov 22 2024 at 6:28pm
Topic: Operation Clean Sweep Model for City of Middletown
Posted By: Leo Gorcey
Subject: Operation Clean Sweep Model for City of Middletown
Date Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 9:52pm
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“OPERATION CLEAN SWEEP” BEGINS IN SOUTHERN PARK AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD City residents, take note: Operation Clean Sweep will soon be in the southern Park Avenue neighborhood. In a multi-departmental effort to address code violations in target neighborhoods, Operation Clean Sweep begins Monday, August 3 in the neighborhood bordered by Park Avenue, Arbor Street and Gulpha Gorge Road, which falls within city district 1. The three-step program includes education, cleanup and enforcement. Throughout the first week, 2-person teams from the city’s Neighborhood Services Division will pay door-to-door visits to each of the properties in the target neighborhood. With the goal of voluntary cooperation and compliance to code requirements, they will distribute packets of educational information and explain to residents what actions they need to take with their homes and properties to become compliant. During the second week, beginning on Monday, August 10, cleanup will begin. The Sanitation Department’s CAPS (Clean, Attractive Property Service) truck will visit the neighborhood daily, collecting items placed curbside by residents. The city street sweeper will also be used. Alternative Service workers from Hot Springs District Court will augment the cleanup efforts. Residents can recognize their presence as they operate from a van marked “Litter Crew.”
Beginning the week of August 17, enforcement will follow, with Neighborhood Services inspectors revisiting the area and writing tickets to address remaining code violations. “Before” and “after” photographs will be taken to document the success of the program.
Other city departments will also participate in the three-week operation. Heightened police patrol will be provided and any neighborhood drug activity targeted. Fire Department personnel will address fire safety concerns identified during the sweep. Animal Services will assist with any animal issues arising from door-to-door visits and inspections. Packets given to residents will contain helpful information on a variety of topics including code requirements, proper posting of addresses, curbside recycling, the Fire Department’s free smoke detector program, and more. For more information, contact Neighborhood Services, 321-6857. |
Replies:
Posted By: Hermes
Date Posted: Aug 12 2009 at 10:24pm
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So what city is doing this ? Sort of reminds me of the 30's depression when cops and hired thugs came in and cleaned up Hobo camps and squatters. The people with money don't give a crap because it doesn't affect them and the crooked politicians get by with murder. ------------- No more democrats no more republicans,vote Constitution Party !! |
Posted By: Leo Gorcey
Date Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 1:45am
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It has nothing to do with governmental heavy-handedness.
This program is successful because it rounds up loose dogs, removes unwanted household items and debris, cleans streets, educates residents in person rather than through mail, provides resources for citizens in seeking services, helps police identify unlawful activities, targets fire hazards, etc.
Regarding housing code enforcement, it allows City staff to meet directly with property owners. An extensive and award-winning volunteer system allows non-profit groups, businesses and City staff to directly assist elderly, disabled and low- to moderate-income households in making required code violations to their homes.
It is a win-win situation instead of simply mailing out 2,300 letters.
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Posted By: VietVet
Date Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 6:43am
Sounds like a fairly organized plan with the three step program. Gives targeted residents a chance to clean up their place with some help provided before they start tightening the noose. The face to face interaction is a good thing. Sounds too complicated for the Midd. city leaders to grasp. Also sounds too organized and the excuses of implementation from the city leaders will be "we don't have the money for this" or "we are not set up to provide an answer for this at this time".   This won't happen here because it's not their idea. They are not smart enough to recognize success and emulate it.
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Posted By: Leo Gorcey
Date Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 6:54am
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Thanks again Viet Vet. I appreciate your thoughtful approach to Middletown's problems and your personal support/encouragement. I trust that things are better medically speaking with your loved ones.
Nelson
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Posted By: Leo Gorcey
Date Posted: Aug 13 2009 at 7:01am
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Earlier in this decade (well before my 1/2007 arrival) a decision was made to move housing code enforcement to the Planning Department. Along with this reorganization, general funds were no longer used as CDBG resources were dedicated to pay for two inspectors and one secretary. I'm not certain if Ron Olson or Bill Becker was City Manager at that time.
HUD agreed to this AS LONG AS ALL ACTIVITIES were limited to Census Tracts having 51% of their households earning at or below 80% of median income. Last summer new Community Revitalization Department staff made housing code enforcement a citywide activity. How interesting that the recent HUD monitoring of the City of Middletown overlooked this decision?
Nelson Self
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