Code Enforcement, a division of the City of Laredo's Community Development Department, has played a vital role in the elimination of slums and blights, which are detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of Laredo. Since its inception in 1985, Code Enforcement has monitored and ensured compliance with City ordinances pertaining to weeds, nuisances, junked vehicles, illegal dumping, graffiti, and other conditions which impact the health and safety of community residents.
Code Enforcement inspectors have received a great deal of assistance in this area from the citizens of Laredo. Their calls have helped in identifying properties that need to be cited for code violations.During fiscal year 2000-2001 alone, over 23,000 verbal or written warnings have been given to property owners. Of those, over 6,000 have been cited for weeded lots, nuisances, and junked vehicles. When violations are noted, property owners are advised to correct the violation in writing by certified mail. In the case of vacant lots, homes and illegal dumping sites, inspectors conduct property searches to identify the responsible party and in turn advise them of the need to correct the violation. When property owners can not be reached, the City force cleans the property and places a lien on it. Property owners who do not wish to correct the violation are cited, and the case is presented in Municipal Court.
In conjunction with the Environmental Services Department, Code Enforcement has also been able to eliminate the unsightly build-up of unwanted tires throughout the city. Code inspectors have physically removed close to 3,500 tires and disposed of them properly. Along with unwanted tires, illegal dumping has also been an issue of major concern. Code Enforcement inspectors have cited over 200 people for illegally dumping in neighborhoods. Also, 32 locations have been identified as illegal dumping sites. Despite Code Enforcement's best efforts to resolve this problem, citizens continue to dump unwanted items such as hazardous waste, furniture, tires, animal carcasses, trash, and automobile parts at these sites.
Another service that Code Enforcement provides is the removal of graffiti from public facilities, including bridges and parks. One inspector has been assigned solely to the identification and elimination of graffiti. This reporting year, 72 locations have been beautified by the removal of graffiti throughout the city. In order to provide this service, which is done on a daily basis, special equipment and cleaning materials had to be purchased and utilized.
Apart from identifying and responding to complaints of code violations, staff participates in various beautification and clean-up programs. During Fiscal year 2000-2001, several campaigns were carried out in cooperation with volunteers from the private sector, including Graffiti Removal Campaigns and the Adopt- A- Highway Program. Some of the campaigns that Code Enforcement staff were involved in were Project Redirectory, West Laredo Graffiti Clean-up, East Laredo Clean-up, LISD Graffiti Clean-up, and the Southgate Graffiti Clean-up. Working as a team, the Code Enforcement staff members have made a tremendous impact on the clean-up and beautification of the City of Laredo. They have gone above and beyond their job responsibilities by volunteering their own time to be involved in these projects.
The Code Enforcement Division, with the cooperation of the citizens of Laredo, hopes to continue to be successful in its efforts, and in reaching its goal of eliminating conditions which are considered to be detrimental to the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Laredo.