By CHRISTIE BLECK
March 11, 2011
From Ingham County Community News
MASON - One of the highlights of the recently released 2010 Mason Police Department annual report has been the integration of nuisance code enforcement into daily operations.
"I started realizing we were seeing areas where properties were going downhill," Chief John Stressman said.
Stressman said he then decided to be more proactive, not necessarily because of appearance, but dwindling property values.
There's also a correlation between dilapidated properties and crime, although he said he doesn't know the reason.
"It just seems to happen that way," Stressman said.
So, there's a parallel between code and law enforcement, according to the chief.
"That's what paying property taxes are all about," Stressman said.
Jim Duthie is the department's part-time code enforcement officer, a new position created to address nuisance ordinances and code violations.
Stressman said most problems are resolved through voluntary compliance rather than enforcement.
Since Aug. 1, 2010, Duthie has initiated investigations for eight exterior structure complaints, eight dangerous building complaints, 41 junk and/or brush pile complaints, 10 tall grass complaints and 16 miscellaneous complaints.
In the annual report, Duthie noted, "For those resistant to compliance, I've at least gotten some effort to make corrections and have only been forced into issuing four citations for code violations."
Duthie said that this year he plans to continue working with property owners to remove junk, brush piles and junk cars, and to correct exterior structures.
Of particular concern, Duthie said, are a number of old houses that are in "drastic" need of repair or demolition.
"A majority of these structures are vacant," Duthie said, "and appear well beyond the value of the capital required to make corrections, and may be best served by providing space for newer housing."
"I started realizing we were seeing areas where properties were going downhill," Chief John Stressman said.
Stressman said he then decided to be more proactive, not necessarily because of appearance, but dwindling property values.
There's also a correlation between dilapidated properties and crime, although he said he doesn't know the reason.
"It just seems to happen that way," Stressman said.
So, there's a parallel between code and law enforcement, according to the chief.
"That's what paying property taxes are all about," Stressman said.
Jim Duthie is the department's part-time code enforcement officer, a new position created to address nuisance ordinances and code violations.
Stressman said most problems are resolved through voluntary compliance rather than enforcement.
Since Aug. 1, 2010, Duthie has initiated investigations for eight exterior structure complaints, eight dangerous building complaints, 41 junk and/or brush pile complaints, 10 tall grass complaints and 16 miscellaneous complaints.
In the annual report, Duthie noted, "For those resistant to compliance, I've at least gotten some effort to make corrections and have only been forced into issuing four citations for code violations."
Duthie said that this year he plans to continue working with property owners to remove junk, brush piles and junk cars, and to correct exterior structures.
Of particular concern, Duthie said, are a number of old houses that are in "drastic" need of repair or demolition.
"A majority of these structures are vacant," Duthie said, "and appear well beyond the value of the capital required to make corrections, and may be best served by providing space for newer housing."
Crime stats for '10
Stressman said statistically crime was static from 2009 to 2010.
Some of the major crimes and the number of reported incidents in 2010 were: aggravated/felonious assaults, seven; arson, one; burglary, forced entry; 13; burglary, no force, four; criminal sexual conduct, 14; larcenies, 70; operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, 39; abduction/kidnapping, one; and damage to property (malicious), 55.
For arrests made last year, they include: misdemeanor assaults, 16; retail fraud, 10; drug offenses, 20; obstructing justice, 100; and impaired driving/operating while intoxicated offenses, 40.
Stressman said statistically crime was static from 2009 to 2010.
Some of the major crimes and the number of reported incidents in 2010 were: aggravated/felonious assaults, seven; arson, one; burglary, forced entry; 13; burglary, no force, four; criminal sexual conduct, 14; larcenies, 70; operating under the influence of liquor or drugs, 39; abduction/kidnapping, one; and damage to property (malicious), 55.
For arrests made last year, they include: misdemeanor assaults, 16; retail fraud, 10; drug offenses, 20; obstructing justice, 100; and impaired driving/operating while intoxicated offenses, 40.
New facility
In 2010, Mason police, along with other city staff, moved into the new city hall/police station at Ash and Park streets.
The facility includes an evidence prep room for officers and staff who submit any item to be sent to the lab or entered into evidence, a found item or an item for safe keeping.
The building also includes more work and storage space for support staff.
"Those are the two absolute highlights," Stressman said of the focus on code enforcement and the new police station.
In 2010, Mason police, along with other city staff, moved into the new city hall/police station at Ash and Park streets.
The facility includes an evidence prep room for officers and staff who submit any item to be sent to the lab or entered into evidence, a found item or an item for safe keeping.
The building also includes more work and storage space for support staff.
"Those are the two absolute highlights," Stressman said of the focus on code enforcement and the new police station.
Police plans
Stressman said the department is looking at amending the parking ordinance to bring it up to date.
Another plan is to make excessive false alarms a civil infraction. Stressman said the current procedure is to send an invoice to anyone with too many alarms to cover the cost of a police call.
A civil-infraction procedure, Stressman pointed out, will involve due process.
Stressman said the department is looking at amending the parking ordinance to bring it up to date.
Another plan is to make excessive false alarms a civil infraction. Stressman said the current procedure is to send an invoice to anyone with too many alarms to cover the cost of a police call.
A civil-infraction procedure, Stressman pointed out, will involve due process.
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