Orange is now using a uniformed, certified police officer for code enforcements on unkempt yards, dilapidated buildings and junk cars. City Manager Shawn Oubre told City Council this morning that he made the decision after the previous code enforcement officer retired. “We’re not changing how we do it but who is doing it,” Oubre said.
Planning Director Jimmie Lewis, who supervises code enforcement, said the change is working because more people are complying with the city’s request to clean up their property after a police officer with a badge and gun visit.
However, Councilwoman Essie Bellfield said she thinks the city should not use a peace officer at a higher pay to do code enforcement that civilians can do. Oubre said the cost is about $22,000 a year more for the police officer, but the city is getting property cleaned. “He’s a policeman. He knows his work as a policeman and he’s paid as a policeman,” she said. She also said the city should have advertised the job vacancy because other people, including retirees, would want it.
The police chief has reassigned longtime officer John Dee Taylor to work code enforcement.
City Council in a 3-2 vote agreed to have the officer work in code enforcement for six months and then review the program. Council members Tommy Ferguson, Mary McKenna and Bill Mello voted to support the change. Bellfield and Councilman Larry Spears voted against the move. Councilwoman Theresa Beauchamp was absent.
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