Presented by Lt. Jim Powers

Lake Michigan

Background Target Neighborhoods Target Neighborhoods High density & older housing stock High density & older housing stock Residents typically had low income with few housing options Residents typically had low income with few housing options Neighborhoods rife with gang members and drug dealers Neighborhoods rife with gang members and drug dealers

Background Common problems/calls for service Common problems/calls for service Loitering/drug dealing Loitering/drug dealing Gang related shootings Gang related shootings Frequent domestic violence calls Frequent domestic violence calls Disturbance calls Disturbance calls Prostitution complaints Prostitution complaints

Most problem properties rental Most 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

Background 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 Attack Plan 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. Rental 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. Abatement 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 Process Problem identified Landlord contacted

Abatement Process Abatement Process Problem identified Landlord contacted Landlord fails to reply Hearing scheduled

Abatement Process Abatement Process Landlord agrees to meet Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord

Abatement Process Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not resolved Problem resolved

Abatement Process Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Landlord fails to reply Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not resolved Hearing scheduled Problem resolved

Abatement Process Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Landlord fails to reply Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not resolved Hearing scheduled Hearing held, decision made Problem resolved

Abatement Process Landlord refuses to cooperate Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Landlord fails to reply Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem resolved Problem not resolved Hearing scheduled Hearing held, decision made Property closed & vacated Problem resolved

Abatement Process Landlord refuses to cooperate Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community Landlord cooperates Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Landlord fails to reply Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not resolved Hearing scheduled Hearing held, decision made Property closed & vacated Affidavit prepared Problem resolved

Abatement Process Landlord refuses to cooperate Officers prepare documentation and mobilize community Officer follows up Landlord cooperates Officer follows up Landlord agrees to meet Landlord fails to reply Problem identified Landlord contacted Officers work w/landlord Problem not resolved Hearing scheduled Hearing held, decision made Property closed & vacated Affidavit prepared Problem resolved Problem not resolved Problem resolved

Assessment Positive Effect on Communities Positive Effect on Communities Reduced Number of Police CFS Reduced Number of Police CFS Increased Quality of Life Increased Quality of Life Before After

Joliet Police Department All Closed Abatement Cases 1996 to 2005

Outgrowths Abatement process has led to: Abatement process has led to: Abating Problems at Businesses/Hotels Abating Problems at Businesses/Hotels Chronic Nuisance Ordinance Chronic Nuisance Ordinance Owner Occupied Homes Owner Occupied Homes Interdepartmental Cooperation Interdepartmental Cooperation Compliance Tickets Compliance Tickets Property Maintenance Sweeps Property Maintenance Sweeps Homestead Program Homestead Program Landlord Training Landlord Training

THANK YOU Lt. Jim Powers Lt. Jim Powers Joliet Police Dept. Joliet Police Dept. 150 W. Washington 150 W. Washington Joliet,Illinois Joliet,Illinois (815) (815)