PROPERTY VALUE

How can I protect my property value? I own my home.

Neighborhoods around the country who have successfully dealt with rental property have done so by organizing strong neighborhood associations. Associations can do a number of things to help minimize the problem including: reminding realtors or owners that single family dwellings have limits on numbers of renters; reaching out to renters to invite them to be good neighbors; and, if the problem becomes extreme, presenting information to city departments or elected officials on behalf of the entire neighborhood. For tips on how to organize, please call the CAN DO Office at 389-3448.

I’m concerned that these big alcohol parties will turn potential buyers away from my neighborhood.

Your neighborhood should report parties that have become a nuisance. If a party is ongoing and causing a nuisance, contact the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

ENFORCEMENT AND RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS

At a minimum, why aren’t law enforcement officers courteous to citizens who call to report a neighborhood problem? Why aren’t they even knowledgeable about how to deal with neighborhood complaints?

The EBRP police system is one of the top rated in the nation, but even our police are human. The police of EBRP must handle a heavy workload and often times must prioritize problems of an urgent nature above those that might not be life threatening or that don’t need immediate attention. If you ever experience any problems with an officer being discourteous towards you, please report them by calling the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

Once I make a complaint call on a rental property in violation, what kind of follow-up and time frame should I expect, so I do not continue to call?

The complaint is investigated within a week. If a violation is found, a certified letter is sent within a week by inspections. It gives the property owner 30 days from receipt to correct the violation. The property is then reinspected and referred to the Parish Attorney’s office if the violation persists. The Parish Attorney sends a certified demand letter ordering compliance within 10 days at which point the property is inspected once again and suit filed if necessary. The matter is then assigned for court within two to six weeks.

My complaints come at about 3 a.m. I have called the police twice. Slow response by police and lack of resolving the problem is my complaint.

The police must prioritize what calls they respond to. For example, a burglary is something they would respond to before a complaint about loud music. If the officer in question failed to act in a manner you find satisfactory, call the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

How can we speed up the process of evicting violators of the laws?

By aiding the enforcement agents in gathering evidence, such as photographs or other records of violations. This evidence helps the Parish Attorney and the Permit and Inspections Division of the Department of Public Works make their case against the violators. An increase of staff at these departments would also aid in speeding up the process.

Why can’t the penalty be enhanced for zoning violations? A $500 penalty is not enough to deter the problem.

City ordinances all have set penalties for violations when categorized as misdemeanors or other lower crimes. A higher fine would require re-classification to a felony, which would require action by the legislature.

How do we go about getting regular police patrols in our neighborhood-especially on weekend nights?

Neighborhoods can request patrols or hire off-duty police officers to patrol their neighborhoods. For more information on how to do so, contact the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

How can homeowners in a neighborhood bring action without hiring an attorney to see that the laws are enforced?

By reporting violations to the Permit and Inspections Division of the Department of Public Works at 389-8680, the BRPD at 389-2000, or the EBRSO at 389-5000. The Federation of Civic Associations of Greater Baton Rouge has an attorney that they use for prosecuting offenders of city ordinances in neighborhoods. If you are interested in finding out if the Federation will aid you by allowing you to use their attorney, contact John Radford at johnjanr@intersurf.com.