Jonesboro to enact code enforcement sweeps throughout the city
by July 14, 2021 9:53 am 888 views
Property values can be significantly impacted by dilapidated conditions in adjacent properties and city leaders in Jonesboro are about to tackle the problem.
Jonesboro city code enforcement officers will begin directed-patrol sweeps throughout the city on a monthly basis, Mayor Harold Copenhaver said Wednesday (July 14). The sweeps come after more than 40 tons of trash, debris, and waste, including appliances, old tires and furniture were removed in the past two months at a half dozen Saturday cleanups.
“We have done a lot of work in clean ups across the city,” Copenhaver said. “If property owners have not taken advantage of these opportunities, they should take the time to get things in order. Multiple departments and multiple neighborhoods have done a lot of work, and we need to remove blight in our city.”
The first sweep will begin Monday (July 19th) in the West End neighborhood, and Code Enforcement Director Mike Tyner said officers will address code violations, distribute warnings, and in cases of major violations issue court citations.
“We will address tall grass, inoperative vehicles, unsightly and unsanitary conditions, and unlawful storage,” Tyner said.
The goal is a neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach to do what code enforcement does on a daily basis, Copenhaver said. But the sweeps are designed to ensure no violators are overlooked. In addition to property values, public safety and health can be impacted by these conditions.
“This is a more focused attack on blight,” Copenhaver said. “We have a large city that unfortunately includes some home and business owners who, for whatever reason, haven’t kept their properties in good condition. Blight is not only unsightly but causes vermin, mosquitos, snakes, spiders and public health risks. An old tire, for instance, can breed thousands of mosquitoes.”
Elderly and others with physical limitations can call the Code Enforcement office at 870-933-4658 or email [email protected] for assistance.
Any property issued a warning ticket will have enough time to correct the violation before a second sweep through the neighborhood, at which time citations will be issued.