14 thoughts on “City evidently looking to outsource code enforcement”

1. Code Enforcement is a law enforcement. Would you outsource the Police? Mmm I don’t think so.

   We have a problem of too few staff, with too small a budget, that cannot meet the needs the city has. In short too few citations are probably issued. Outsourcing could well swing it the other way, when citations are coupled with profit motivation. Gone will be the judgment calls that current staff make with respect to unusual situations that residents sometimes find themselves in.

   In another creative way of thinking… could neighborhoods apply and become their own enforcement organizations?

2. >Would you outsource the Police?

   Robocop….

3. Mahkno – Why not? I like that approach. Individual neighborhoods could be responsible for enforcing the city’s codes within a predefined area. Something to be said for that approach. Nothing more unique than the homeowners associations that enforce covenants within their boundaries.

   It’s unlikely that this will come to fruition in outsourcing the entire City’s code enforcement effort but it might be worth utilizing this as a way to either:
   1) Provide additional resources to the existing staff (at a cheaper cost);
   2) Get the public employee union to accept some level of accountablity and performance standards for their employees; or
   3) Prompt a more efficient utilization of existing staff.

   While they are working hard, they are hardly making a dent and there is no accountability at all.

4. It is hard to hold people accountable when you are severely short staffed and under budgeted. Anyone who has run a business that has been caught in staffing shortages can see that problem. If you fire someone it just makes doin the job that much harder. You do what you can with what you have.

5. When I suggest allowing neighborhoods an enforcement role, I don’t see it as outsourcing. The current city staff would still have a role for appeals and review, to ensure the neighbors don’t get too out of hand.

6. It would interesting to try your approach on a “pilot project” basis using a well defined neighborhood (such as the uplands).

7. What does the duration of the contract — 1-2 years indicate?

   If the city is short of monies — what is the funding source for this initiative?

   And, Mahkno — and my understanding is that there are to be no more judgement calls by code inspectors as of July 1, 2007. Absolutely everything is supposed to be written up — no exceptions per a memo from Randy Oliver.

   The neighborhood association approach would be an interesting concept to try as a pilot.

   CJ may know more about that new policy.

8. re: neighborhoods policing and enforcing codes. There is a certain amount of training and liabilty to both of these jobs. We have discussed that it would be beneficial for each association to have specific people trained in code enforcement, zoning etc, but not for purposes of their enforcing issues, but in order to creat neighborhood “experts” who then can help optimize complaints and streamline information back and forth from the various city departments. Code enforcement staff have to deal with irate and aggressive residents as obviously the police. If you want to help participate with neighborhood “policing” in the form of deterrance, join the Guardian Angels, we could use the manpower. There are specific and stringent training requirements for the Angels, we don’t just hop out on the street. We are not a substitute for the police only an additional deterrant.

9. Paul: where can the Guardian Angels be found? What part of town are they patroling in and what have they accomplished? It’s a good idea, but hvs it really been implemented?

10. Let’s cut this out sourcing crap and get eight hours of work for eight hours of pay; let’s see the City Council stand up to bat and impose an equitable new tax to pay for the basic services and infra-structures we need; let’s sell that tremendous piece of land by the river (museum my tail), with restrictions on building, and get on with life in Peoria.

11. Maybe they could ask Caterpillar to consult. I am sure some of the whiz kids at cat could have a couple dozen starbucks crappes and put together a fine team from India that they could outsource the code enforcement to, perhaps even using wi-fi and fiber and bluetooth and in real time…..ooooo I am getting all excited now I better stop.

12. we have patrolled in the East Bluff, the Center Bluff, the West Bluff and parts of the south side. We are limited only the by number of members and our work scedules. We have been around since December 2005, (although we implement training in the summer of 2005). It does work as a deterrant. We have time to do what the police can’t do, which is hang out at a busy corner or drug house, deterring customers. We talk to residents as we go through the neighborhood, especially the children. The kids know who sells what and where and don’t necessarily speak with police officers. It has been a usefull program, but greatly needs to expand so that a number of neighborhoods can be serviced at a variety of shifts. It is based on volunteers. There are not a lot of them in this community willing to train and participate. Most people just want someone else to fix the problems. This will be the same problem with Cease Fire if it ever gets off the ground. It will also depend on volunteers with a few professional staff. Things will not change for the better until a couple of things occur: 1. people take an active role in monitoring the activities in the neighborhood, taking steps reasonable for citizens to reduce crimes or potential criminal activity in their area, and cooperating with officials vs. enabling the criminals to continue their business uninhibited or 2. raise our taxes to triple the police force, the state’s attorney’s office, build a larger jail or prison, and hire more judges to arrest, convict, and lock up as many thugs as we can as fast as they can grow them.

13. Outsourcing is a terrible idea. On the other hand, playing off the “code enforcement” is “law enforcement” angle, put these folks under the control of the police department, combine them with parking enforcement and leverage both from the management focus allowed in by the police department. John Kunski folds to every player and hot shot or anybody who complains loud enough. It’s more mismanagement in that department than any other issue. Put them under the direction of a street tested police commander.

14. Thanks Paul-keep up the good work!!

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