Our View

Our View

City makes right move to crack down on code breakers

For longer than most people can remember, West Memphis has had an issue with inconsiderate violators of the city’s codes, particularly regarding illegal dumping of unwanted tires, furniture and even automobiles.

Over the past several years, in a serious effort to clean up her city, Councilwoman Lorraine Robertson has personally taken on the challenge of making residents aware of the problem and persuading them to get involved by actively taking part in organized clean-up campaigns.

But, even at that and including the hiring of a code enforcement officer violators are continuing to frustrate city officials and concerned residents alike with their total disregard for the appearance of the city.

From time to time city officials will discuss better ways of cracking down on the problem including this latest decision to print flyers outlining the city’s various codes, penalties for violating them and letting West Memphis police officers distribute them while on patrol in areas of the city where there is a problem.

City Code Enforcement Officer Mike Antel told city officials the most common violations of city codes was improper display of yard signs and the illegal sweeping of lawn clippings and debris down city sewers.

Amazing enough, Antel said that in most cases in which people are caught violating any of the city’s codes they most always learn a valuable lesson and cease their illegal activity.

Also, violators who are issued citations are given a fine of about $85 which has had a big impact on repeat offenders, Antel said.

The list of codes on the flyers include litter and debris, illegal dumping, sign ordinance violations, obstruction in roadway which usually involves basketball goals, ramps and street hockey, yard sale violations, stormwater issues and semi parking.

One suggestion that Antel and city officials might want to seriously consider is what some municipalities are using to not only combat code violations but also more importantly catching the culprits dumping such items like worn out tires on the side of the city streets.

We were informed by an employee of a major sporting goods and outdoor chain that they have been approached by some police departments about purchasing inexpensive outdoor “game” camera which are popular with hunters.

Testimonials from those municipalities that have installed these cameras, which can be purchased for as little as $79, are placed in areas where there are a high number of violations and have a high rate of success in identifying the culprits.

The technology these cameras provide enable users to capture images, record activity, store or even transmit data. Some of these cameras, which are waterproof, are also capable of capturing images even at night.

To us, these cameras would be an ideal tool West Memphis code enforcers can use in catching individuals violating city codes, particularly when it comes to illegal dumping of large household items, old tires and more.

This is certainly a suggestion we feel West Memphis should seriously consider and would be well worth the minimal expenditure it would require to purchase a couple of these cameras and put them in operation immediately.