Willow Glen Resident

News

New cleanup program has residents in control where blight strikes

By Mayra Flores De Marcotte

A new program through the city of San Jose gives residents a chance to take control of the look and feel of their neighborhoods.

Blight Busters, a new city-citizen partnership offered in the Strong Neighborhoods Initiative areas, was created to eliminate blight in residential neighborhoods. The program held its first training session at the end of June.

San Jose code enforcement provides training for volunteers and provides an overview of the scope of the program, legal issues, volunteer safety and program procedures.

Each volunteer is provided a Blight Buster log to identify blight conditions needing resolution. Once the log is completed and returned, a notice will be sent to affected property owners within 24 hours, requiring them to clean up the problem or be subject to enforcement actions.

Volunteers receive confirmation of the notice being sent and the date the inspector will confirm compliance or take enforcement action if necessary. Throughout the process, the identity of the volunteer remains confidential.

The program is focused on minor but important quality-of-life issues that hurt neighborhoods. These issues include wrecked and inoperable vehicles stored in front yards of homes, overgrown and hazardous weeds, accumulations of debris in front yards and lawn parking.

The joint program has benefits for both the city and residents.

Code enforcement supervisor Diane Buchanan said the program saves the city a trip out to the offending property owner.

"Residents let us know where the violations are and then follow up on it," Buchanan said. "For the residents, they get more people involved with their neighborhoods. The program gets those who are passionate about how their neighborhood looks out and brings out new leaders as well."

Gardner resident Debbie Wade agrees there are benefits.

"I see the program as another tool that neighborhoods have to continue our beautification efforts," Wade said. "It gives us a direct way of communicating with code enforcement."

Still, Wade has some concerns.

"We would not want to create a situation that would make neighbors feel like other neighbors are spying on them," Wade said. "The program is useful, but not the only way to deal with blight."

She said there's a real issue of personal responsibility.

"The more people are involved in the neighborhood efforts to improve the neighborhood, the more sensitive they are about the impact of their personal property on the neighborhood," Wade said. "Even picking up litter in front of our house, whether it's ours or not, or if a shopping cart shows up, we have to take responsibility."

Wade said blight gets eradicated when owners start improving their properties. When residents see one or two houses being fixed up, others are encouraged to follow suit.

"I appreciate the responsiveness and concern from code enforcement, but I am looking forward to the day that we won't need it," Wade said.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Art Nino at 408.921.0473 or email at art.nino@sanjoseca.gov.