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 jpowers@jolietcity.orgjpowers@jolietcity.org