CITY OF COMMERCE
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Code Enforcement Supervisor
Ralph Vivero
COMMERCE MUNICIPAL CODE (C.M.C.)
ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY
• C.M.C. 1.12.130 - Authority of authorized city employees to enforce and issue citations (Misdemeanor or infraction violations must be committed in the officer’s or employee’s presence)
• C.M.C. 1.12.140 – City officials vested with authority to enforce may issue an administrative citation
• Although it is always the goal of the city to obtain voluntary compliance there will be instances where compliance must be compelled by administrative (non-judicial) or judicial means
DUE PROCESS
• 5th and 14th Amendments: Due Process and Equal Protection – fair treatment through the normal judicial system – citizen’s entitlement
• 4th Amendment: Inspections by granted consent or granted warrant (reasonable cause for code enforcement rather than probable cause to obtain evidence of a crime) – Forcible Entry and Waiver of Notice is restricted to prior approval by judge COMPLIANCE – TEAM EFFORT
• Code Enforcement Staff: 1 Supervisor, 1 Part-time Officer, Vacancies to be filled via Full-time Officer recruitment (Customer service, Investigation, Notices of Violation, Citations, Liaisons to Compliance)
• Economic Development Staff: Planning Division, Building & Safety • Collaboration with County, State, and other agencies: LASD, LACoFD, L.A. County Public Health, CalTrans, Union Pacific and BNSF Railroad • City Attorney: Deputy City Attorney Christy Garcia (Compliance Letters, Office Conferences, Warrants, Court, and Representation
CRIME PREVENTION
• Community Engagement: Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, Public Safety Events, Special Operation Task Force
• Patrol: Observe Code Violations, as well as Public Safety and Public Works related issues (Broken Windows Theory)
• Homeless Outreach and Encampment Abatement (Public/Private Property)
BEFORE & AFTER
BEFORE & AFTER
BEFORE & AFTER
BEFORE AND AFTER
CONCLUSION
THOUGHTS - QUESTIONS
• Council Code Enforcement Ad Hoc Committee – Engage in proactive direction, review current codes, identify code enforcement priorities, and revise/adopt codes to address • Thoughts, Questions?