From wayward basketball hoops in the street to some unsightly, dilapidated properties, Escalon Police Department Code Enforcement Officer Katie Kirkbride is working to make sure residents comply with the city's municipal code.
And if that means writing citations to get people to clean up their property, that's what will be done.
"This position has evolved into an area that just continues to grow," said Escalon Police Chief Doug Dunford. "It was something that we lacked before ... this position was combined with the Animal Control Officer and when we brought this person on, we had to demonstrate to the council that this is a full time job."
In the code enforcement post, Kirkbride works cooperatively with officials in the planning, public works and engineering departments, Dunford added.
"It has helped tremendously," he said. "By working cooperatively, we know who has permits to build, who doesn't ... we're really the enforcement arm."
Ultimately, the city is looking for compliance with the municipal code, said the chief, but now have the staff in place to issue citations where there is non-compliance.
Kirkbride said residents can acquaint themselves with the city's municipal code by going online to the city's website, cityofescalon.org, and looking it up. That can help answer many questions about what is acceptable and what isn't, she said. If residents are concerned that there are violations of the code, they can make a formal complaint.
"You can come in to the police department and pick up a form to make a written complaint," Kirkbride said. "We can also mail it or fax it and you should have as much information as you can."
And if that means writing citations to get people to clean up their property, that's what will be done.
"This position has evolved into an area that just continues to grow," said Escalon Police Chief Doug Dunford. "It was something that we lacked before ... this position was combined with the Animal Control Officer and when we brought this person on, we had to demonstrate to the council that this is a full time job."
In the code enforcement post, Kirkbride works cooperatively with officials in the planning, public works and engineering departments, Dunford added.
"It has helped tremendously," he said. "By working cooperatively, we know who has permits to build, who doesn't ... we're really the enforcement arm."
Ultimately, the city is looking for compliance with the municipal code, said the chief, but now have the staff in place to issue citations where there is non-compliance.
Kirkbride said residents can acquaint themselves with the city's municipal code by going online to the city's website, cityofescalon.org, and looking it up. That can help answer many questions about what is acceptable and what isn't, she said. If residents are concerned that there are violations of the code, they can make a formal complaint.
"You can come in to the police department and pick up a form to make a written complaint," Kirkbride said. "We can also mail it or fax it and you should have as much information as you can."
