Presented by Lt. Jim Powers
LakeMichigan
BackgroundBackground
Target NeighborhoodsTarget Neighborhoods High density & older housing stockHigh density & older housing stock Residents typically had low Residents typically had low
income with few housing optionsincome with few housing options Neighborhoods rife with gang Neighborhoods rife with gang
members and drug dealersmembers and drug dealers
BackgroundBackground Common problems/calls for Common problems/calls for
serviceservice Loitering/drug dealingLoitering/drug dealing Gang related shootingsGang related shootings Frequent domestic violence callsFrequent domestic violence calls Disturbance callsDisturbance calls Prostitution complaintsProstitution complaints
Most problem properties rentalMost problem properties rental
•Disorder problems tend to gravitate toward individual properties
•Usually (not always) rental property with magnet tenants
•Absence of ownership contributes to disorder
BackgroundBackground•Landlords needed incentive to cooperate with problem solving efforts
•Abatement process developed by 1997
•Teamwork approach evolved between P.D. & other city departments
–Common problems were identified
Plan of AttackPlan of Attack
•Develop trust with neighbors to gather documentation on problem property (drugs vs. general nuisance)
•Hold the property owner accountable for the actions of occupants of the property and visitors to the property (cooperative tone)
State Statutes
•Maintaining a public nuisance(with knowledge and
intent)
–Attorney General will only enforce if two incidents of drug activity in 12 months
–Ultimate enforcement is court
1. 1. Rental Inspection ProgramRental Inspection Program
•Two or more units (multiple year certificates)
•Cannot rent units without valid certificate
•No certificate -- building subject to being tagged “not approved for occupancy” and vacated (historically---only done for bldg. code violations)
•Any trespassers then subject to arrest for trespass to condemned property.
2. 2. Abatement OrdinanceAbatement Ordinance
•Originally addressed drugs/prostitution
•Public Nuisance added for non-drug related problems
•Nuisance: any activity or condition of the property that disturbs the peace of the neighborhood or obstructs the reasonable use of the property
•Single Family rental ordinance created
Abatement ProcessAbatement ProcessProblem identified
Landlord contacted
Abatement ProcessAbatement ProcessProblem identified
Landlord contactedLandlord fails to reply
Hearing scheduled
Abatement ProcessAbatement Process
Landlord agrees to meet
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord
Abatement ProcessAbatement ProcessOfficer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not
resolved
Problem resolved
Abatement ProcessAbatement ProcessOfficer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Landlord fails to reply
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not
resolvedHearing scheduled
Problem resolved
Abatement ProcessAbatement Process
Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community
Officer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Landlord fails to reply
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not
resolvedHearing scheduled
Hearing held, decision made
Problem resolved
Abatement ProcessAbatement Process
Landlord refuses to cooperate
Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community
Officer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Landlord fails to reply
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord
Problem resolved
Problem not resolvedHearing scheduled
Hearing held, decision made
Property closed & vacated
Problem resolved
Abatement ProcessAbatement Process
Landlord refuses to cooperate
Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community
Landlord cooperates
Officer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Landlord fails to reply
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not
resolvedHearing scheduled
Hearing held, decision made
Property closed & vacated
Affidavit prepared
Problem resolved
Problem resolved
Abatement ProcessAbatement Process
Landlord refuses to cooperate
Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community
Officer follows
up
Landlord cooperates
Officer follows
upLandlord agrees to meet
Landlord fails to reply
Problem identified
Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not
resolvedHearing scheduled
Hearing held, decision made
Property closed & vacated
Affidavit prepared
Problem resolved
Problem not resolved
Problem resolved
Problem resolved
AssessmentAssessment Positive Effect on Positive Effect on
CommunitiesCommunities Reduced Reduced Number of Police CFS Number of Police CFS Increased Quality of LifeIncreased Quality of Life
Before After
Joliet Police Department Selected Abatement Cases, 2000 to 2005
Average Number of Calls by Time Prior to Letter/Contact
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.01
year
11 m
onth
s
10 m
onth
s
9 m
onth
s
8 m
onth
s
7 m
onth
s
6 m
onth
s
5 m
onth
s
4 m
onth
s
3 m
onth
s
2 m
onth
s
1 m
onth
Hearing Hearing vacated No hearing
Joliet Police Department Selected Abatement Cases, 2000 to 2005
Average Number of Calls by Time After Letter/Contact
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
1 m
onth
2 m
onth
s
3 m
onth
s
4 m
onth
s
5 m
onth
s
6 m
onth
s
7 m
onth
s
8 m
onth
s
9 m
onth
s
10 m
onth
s
11 m
onth
s
1 ye
ar
Hearing Hearing vacated No hearing
Joliet Police Department
All Closed Abatement Cases 1996 to 2005
OutgrowthsOutgrowths Abatement process has led to:Abatement process has led to:
Abating Problems at Abating Problems at Businesses/HotelsBusinesses/Hotels
Chronic Nuisance OrdinanceChronic Nuisance OrdinanceOwner Occupied HomesOwner Occupied Homes
Interdepartmental CooperationInterdepartmental CooperationCompliance TicketsCompliance TicketsProperty Maintenance SweepsProperty Maintenance SweepsHomestead ProgramHomestead ProgramLandlord TrainingLandlord Training
THANK YOUTHANK YOU
Lt. Jim PowersLt. Jim Powers Joliet Police Dept.Joliet Police Dept. 150 W. Washington150 W. Washington Joliet ,Illinois 60432Joliet ,Illinois 60432 (815) 724-3199(815) 724-3199 [email protected]@jolietcity.org
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