Interesting city violation
In Milwaukee, the Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS) handles many things -- landlord training, code compliance, graffiti, vacant building registration, etc. Essentially anything that involves properties in neighborhoods that affect the community.
They have an online system where you can "subscribe" to email alerts for violations and new registrations for any area surrounding an address. I signed up for all the areas around all the properties I own.
Mostly the violations are things such as warning the owners to remove junk or other debris, or new code compliance applications and such. Every so often you see something unusual.
Today I see an email with a new violation:
Feed birds with an approved feeder or stop feeding
Obtain a dog or cat license
Eliminate rodent harborages
Stop placing food on grnd and remove rat feeding area
I've never seen something like this before, but it's good that someone is trying to put a stop to the animal issues!
Comments (3)
Two recent examples of this system working: I just saw one the other day about my neighbor's property. He was remodeling his basement (I asked, but we're not close) and left a pile of junk out in the alley. It was really an eyesore. Someone must have reported him because I got the email, and the next day it was all cleaned up! Over by my mom's house, there was this property with a garage that had holes in it and was really in a state of disrepair. Her and the neighbor said racoons would go in and out and they were afraid that the animals would start to get into their yards. So I reported it. You have to give your name, but can choose to stay anonymous. Well, it took a couple months, but the property owners did tear down the garage. Now this is the kind of thing my tax dollars should go for!
Dawn Anastasi, over 11 years ago
I miss the Mid-West sometimes. Email alerts from your city gov. is so in keeping with the Wisconsin I know and love. Make your neighbor's code violations public info and easily accessible. Using shame is cheap. And it works! Seriously though. Keep your eye out for the good stuff. And look for code compliance violations on properties with other distresses. For example, continuous abatement issues on a property with an out of area owner (or deceased owner).
Account Closed, over 11 years ago
Dawn - I can see that violation system as being a great way to find out about distressed properties. Very cool.
Joshua Dorkin, over 11 years ago