Published: November 01, 2009 10:55 pm      

HIGGS: On the road with the ZOOM team

Last week we had a little background on neighborhood conditions and changes that are under way to educate the residents that the city would “no longer take a passive approach to these problems.” Mayor Paul Dyster spoke these words at a press conference to introduce the recently formed ZOOM team, which combines several city departments and agencies to address code violations and other unsafe conditions in buildings throughout the city. The format was described as a visit one week to assess the neighborhood and each individual house or commercial establishment in it and a return the following week to observe any compliance to violations issued the first week. Any non-compliance would be issued an appearance ticket.

My key words were “follow-up” and “enforcement” and during the week of May 11 the team visited the 400 block of 20th Street and the 1900 blocks of Ferry Avenue and Niagara Street for the assessment process. The Clean Neighborhoods Inspector issued 21 citations. Twelve were complied with before the team returned the following week and three tickets were served. The Inspections Department wrote code violation letters on 19 properties, seven complied within the time limit and the other 12 were sent to City Court.

During the visit to 20th Street, I noticed a well-kept home with a beautiful landscaped double lot. It was like a rose between two thorns as dwellings on either side were in need of attention. When the team returned the following week, I discovered an elderly woman in the yard. She was the owner and while she was not pleased with the changes in her neighborhood, she did not want to leave her home. She was also very happy to see all the activity on her street as many feel no one cares about them. That is one of the positive things about the ZOOM team initiative. It makes the residents who care about their property feel vindicated. Imagine waking up at 9 a.m. to see the Niagara Falls Police Department, the fire chief and all the Inspections Department and DPW vehicles parked outside with their flashers going. Of course that works both ways also, as during the second week we noted some residents rushing outside to cut their grass to avoid the penalty.

Before the June inspections, the entire ZOOM team went to City Court and during a meeting with Chief City Court Judge Mark Violante and Hon. Robert Merino (who would be assigned the bulk of these matters); we discussed the court authority under Section 203 of the Uniform City Court Act. Violante also mentioned the use of search warrants for housing, zoning and firematic violations as well as some guidance about service by substitution. I was thrilled that the City Court, whom I considered a very important element to our cause, was now a member of our team.

Back to the streets and it should be noted the team stayed within the 19th Street corridor area where high crime statistics have been prevalent. When you connect the dots about substandard housing conditions and deteriorating neighborhoods, they all lead to high crime. Fifty-eight Clean Neighborhood violations were noted with 27 compliances. Thirty-seven more housing violations were sent letters and 17 Court papers were written. Some of these matters are still wending their way through the court system. July 1 found the team in the 400 blocks of 8th and 9th streets with more violations cited and some complied with but several more were assigned to City Court.

During my treks to these neighborhoods, I would often talk to the residents who came out to see what was happening, about their living conditions and why they felt obligated to remain in some of the substandard housing that we found. Many stated they felt they were paying too much rent (so did I for what they were living in) but were trapped due to the high cost of relocating utilities and the fact they would have to pay security deposits along with rent. Most were on public assistance and this brought to mind efforts of Fran Scarfone, and mine to have the Department of Social Services request a mandatory inspection of any housing that would be occupied by their clients. This never came to be due to manpower shortages at the City Inspections Department and I still regret that failure as everyone deserves a decent place to live. Some of these property owners never even drive by as the tenants told me they pay their rent to a Post Office Box or some office somewhere. Some of the property owners are well known and they live in high-end areas of Niagara County. Perhaps that is why the tenants do not take an interest in their living conditions.

Next week more news of the ZOOM Team and how it is changing the way of life in our neighborhoods. We will look at the remaining neighborhoods that were part of this year’s effort and some information on the results in City Court.

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Tomorrow is Election Day and I take this opportunity to remind everyone to vote. Contact the Board of Elections 438-4040 (Republican) 438-4041 (Democrat)) or visit their Web site for voter Information such as hours of operation and polling places. A complete list of candidates is also available. Don’t forget to look for the propositions at the top of the ballot.

Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Mondays in the Gazette.