Letters to the editor, June 18, 2009

On the value of Code Enforcement

In the June 15, paper Carol Jensen sounded off on the Code Enforcement unit of the City of Barstow. It seem to be a blend of fact and maybe airing off for some friends who have been paid a visit by a Code Enforcement Officer.

She called the people who have complained of conditions in their neighborhood as “cowardly complainers.” Unless she is the person addressed as being harassed, then I guess it depends where you stand on the commentary as to who is cowardly.

Further into the commentary she comments that neighborhoods are made up of many different kinds of people, and articulating “and likewise of different choices of lifestyle” ... I don’t necessarily agree with how our Code Enforcement Unit operates, and feel operating procedures could and should be addressed, but to shut them down simply because someone doesn’t like the attention they invite from the unit isn’t sound thinking. A police officer doesn’t get all the speeders on the streets on any given day, he just takes them as they come along and invite by their behavior it’s time for a ticket. Some never learn and stack up the tickets until DMV further addresses the problem with them.

Likewise some people because of the “choice of lifestyle” they make continue to violate codes established to make Barstow a better community. A lack of Code Enforcement will at some point in time increase the work load of the Police Department, Fire Department, Health Department.

It might even be written about by commentators who then will feel the city isn’t addressing the safety and appearance of the community. Just think how often people most likely have been encouraged to take care of a problem so as not to be cited by Code Enforcement. Like a speeder, some are given verbal warnings, and later let their careless attitude get them cited.

Times are tough, but eliminating Code Enforcement based upon the comments offered seems unwise! Better I would much rather see the city audit the unit, and examine how we can make it better. A community needs Code Enforcement as an arm to their responsibilities to the citizens here now, and those we would like to invite as future citizens.

Some with lifestyles that can’t adjust to expectations for their business or home need to search for a place best suited to their choice.

Ron Paddack, Barstow