May ENG 42709

Riverside County Code Enforcement
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
May 2009
A TLMA Code Enforcement Monthly Newsletter
C
Elderly Resident Removed from Unsanitary
Conditions by Caring Family District 5
ode Enforcement officers are subjected to all sorts of code violations on a daily basis.
Oftentimes, property owners and family members become emotional as the officers
attempt to communicate the hazards and safety concerns they witness on a property. Code
Enforcement Officers Anthony Green, James Pike, and Lanee Padilla were contacted by
Animal Services to assist with a multi-agency cleanup of a property in Cabazon.
During the initial inspection of the property, it was discovered that the elderly resident was
living in very unsanitary conditions. In addition to the intrinsic conditions associated with the
keeping of over 20 cats and dogs, several electrical hazards were also documented on the
property.
Director John Boyd
A high level of courtesy, compassion, and customer service was exercised by the Code
Enforcement Department, Animal Services, and the Sheriff’s Department in order to avoid any
additional stress being placed on the property owner or her family members. During the
inspection, the owner was voluntarily removed from the residence by relatives and taken to
an assisted care facility.
Mission Statement:
“To enhance public
safety and the quality
of life in partnership
with communities
through fair
enforcement of laws
and codes.”
Although these types of cases can be emotionally draining, the gratitude expressed by the
family members and neighbors make it all worthwhile.
Code Enforcement
Administration
4080 Lemon Street
12th Floor,
Riverside, CA 92501
Phone: 951-955-2004
www.rctlma.org/ce
Page 2
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
Winchester Community Impact Plan a Reality District 3
T
he town of Winchester was born in the 1880’s by the Garbani & Domenigoni families.
Winchester, located in the middle of the large tracts of open land in the south county
area of Riverside County, is a small town with big history. Its agriculture and rural living
continue on today, even in this fast moving society.
Though the history remains, Winchester is ready to embark on a new journey, as the
community has seen the growth around them and feels it is time to improve their region.
Partnering with the County and working with the Code Enforcement Department,
Winchester is ready to start on their Community Impact Plan.
This past March, Community Improvement Specialist Becky Mitchell organized a Community
Code Resource Fair to meet with residents and educate them on how Code Enforcement
will help them raise their quality of life while still keeping their rural way of living. Code
Enforcement Officer Carol Forrey was on hand at the kick-off event to answer any
questions the community had pertaining to code enforcement issues in their area.
Understanding the needs and visions of a community are just means by which any Code
Enforcement officer can assist citizens to improve their surroundings. Knowing what the
community wants in its future and partnering with the community is paramount for the
success of any community impact plan, and Winchester is no different. What is different
about Winchester, however, is that the community is deeply committed to maintaining its
rural feel while ensuring safety for all who choose to live there.
Illegal Dumping Districo 2
A
s a result of several public complaints of vending of
counterfeit luxury items at the Rubidoux Swap Meet on
Mission Avenue in Riverside, an enforcement operation was
planned. The operation targeted vendors selling counterfeit
luxury items, such as purses, jewelry, shoes, glasses, and
clothing, in addition to counterfeit and pirated CD’s and
DVD’s.
Under the direction of Riverside County Special Enforcement
Team (S.E.T.) Officer A. Rodriguez-Barrios, an undercover
team consisting of a S.E.T. officer and an investigative
consultant entered the swap meet to gather information
pertaining to the vendors. The remaining uniformed team
members entered the location to initiate enforcement contact
with the vendors.
Vendors with counterfeit merchandise exceeding
misdemeanor amounts were charged with felonies and taken
into custody by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Vendors with counterfeit merchandise, misdemeanor
amounts, will be charged and processed by S.E.T. officers.
Three other vendors were given warnings and issued Cease
and Desist forms. In all instances, the counterfeit and
pirated merchandise was seized and collected by the
investigative consultants as evidence. Confiscated
merchandise (estimated value of $65,000.00, MSRP) will be
destroyed upon the closing of all cases.
New construction with
an old ranch feel
Patterson House –
now The Winchester Museum
Scenic Views Restored Along
Midland Road District 4
M
idland Road is a northern gateway road into the city of
Blythe. Although a remote area, a number of winter
visitors travel this highway in order to take advantage of the
federal campsites located on the outskirts of the city during
the spring and winter months. Until recently, winter visitors
and local residents had to pass by a large stockpile of
rubbish, substandard recreational trailers, and abandoned,
junked vehicles covering three visible acres. All that changed
when Senior Code Enforcement Officer George Gianos
became involved.
Officer Gianos began his abatement by tapping into funding
available through the Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Service
Authority. With the help of Brothers Towing, all of the
junked vehicles that were littering this stretch of Midland
Road were removed to an auto wrecking yard. Palo Verde
Disposal also assisted in the cleanup by removing hundreds
of tons of rubbish and debris. As a result, travelers can once
again drive this stretch of Midland Road toward Blythe and
take in all the beauty the desert landscape has to offer.
S.E.T. will continue to monitor vending locations as needed
with ongoing assessment and surveillance; the information
gathered will be used to plan future operations.
Three acres covered
Three acres cleared
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
Page 3
County Agencies Lend a Helping Hand District 1
W
hat started out as a routine Code Enforcement investigation ended up with
an opportunity for two county agencies to show some compassion toward a
community member. Code Enforcement Officer Brett Farlow began investigating a
case regarding a substandard mobile home located in Lakeland Village,
approximately 200 yards from the Lakeland Village Middle School.
The process was moving smoothly; Officer Farlow was waiting for the warrant to
remove the abandoned mobile home, when he received a telephone call that would
change the course of this investigation. “I was waiting for the seizure warrant to be
approved by the court,” said Officer Farlow, “When I received a telephone call from
the property owner who advised me that her husband had just suddenly passed
away. She asked if there was any financial assistance available from the County to
assist with the cost of removing the mobile home.” Officer Farlow, using his
resources, contacted Sanaa Azar with the Riverside County Economic Development
Agency (EDA) who then advised him that she would look into the matter to see
what assistance could be provided.
Within a week, Ms. Azar called and advised Officer Farlow that the subject property
was in an economic redevelopment area and that EDA was in a position to provide
the funds necessary to remove the double-wide mobile home. The substandard
dwelling was eventually demolished and removed from the property – with all of the
costs associated with the removal paid for by the Code Enforcement and EDA.
The above mobile was removed with
help from EDA & Code
Tumbleweeds: A Vegetative Nuisance District 5
T
umbleweeds are a classic sight in the American west. At the end of a growing season, the mature plants
detach themselves from their roots and roll with the wind, spreading their seeds far and wide. In the
spring, when the temperatures are right, the tumbleweed seeds send out roots, and if they find enough
moisture, they grow fast and tall, but in a unique ball shape so that they, in turn, can tumble across any flat
and unobtrusive landscape. On windy summer days, these pesky weeds can travel long distances before
being blocked by a fence or some other obstruction in their path.
Accumulations of dried tumbleweeds can create a real fire hazard. Riverside County is no stranger to the
tumbleweed, also known as Russian thistle. Veteran Code Enforcement Officer Lori Lyon knows all too well
the nuisance these weeds can cause. This year, Officer Lyon decided to try and get ahead of the problem in
an area of Homeland. She contacted the property management company for some large vacant parcels in the area and
explained the problem to them. The owners decided to do the right thing and scheduled their properties for two weed
abatements during the peak growing season. Hopefully, if the weeds can be mowed or disked before they mature and go to
seed; the seed spreading activity can be diminished.
The more property owners taking this responsible course of action, the fewer tumbleweeds we might see rolling across our
streets or blocking access to our homes.
The tumbleweeds have grown back, died, and
are now blowing free.
Both parcels have been cleared of all the tumbleweeds.
They are owned by the same company and are now
scheduled to be disked twice a year.
Page 4
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
Romoland/Homeland/Green Acres Cleanup
th
On March 7 , the Romoland/Homeland Municipal Advisory Council (MAC) and its members partnered with the Department of
Code Enforcement to improve the communities of Romoland, Homeland, and Green Acres. Residents of all three communities
lined up as early as 6am to get a chance to cleanup their property at no cost to them. The community as a whole came
together on this day and helped one another to either cleanup unwanted junk, or come into voluntary compliance with the
Department of Code Enforcement and the Fire Department.
Special thanks to Barry Busch, Supervising Board Assistant with Supervisor Marion Ashley’s Office, to their support and
commitment to improving the quality of life in the 5th District.
“We are excited about the partnership that we have built with Riverside County Department
of Code Enforcement. Once there was a problem here with illegal vendors and we called your
Department and we have no longer had that problem on or around our school site..”
-Romoland School District —Bobbie Plough, Superintendent
STATISTICS:
Overall Tonnage:
47.56 tons of trash/debris
was removed
Trash Tonnage: 26.78 TONS
Landfill Tonnage: 14.16 TONS
(17 dump passes were utilized)
Tires:302 Tires (6.62 tons) were
removed from the road
right of way
Vehicles:84 vehicles serviced
within 3 hours
Fighting against Foreclosure with Education
T
he fact is that so many of us are working hard to avoid getting involved in any stage of foreclosure.
However, due to a variety of factors from market value to job loss, and even purchasing a home
irresponsibly, many of us are staring into the face of foreclosure. Recently, the Riverside County Board of
Supervisors approved an educational program presented to them by Chris Sorensen entitled RC’s HELP, or
Riverside County’s Homeownership Education Learning Program.
Chris Sorensen, former mayor of Norco and a mortgage broker, has put together a panel of volunteer experts in
their specific fields to participate in seminars being offered throughout Riverside County – FREE OF CHARGE! This
seminar is educational and will teach you the ABC’s of homeownership. So, whether you are in some phase of
foreclosure or simply ready to purchase your first home, this is definitely a couple of hours of your time well spent.
After attending the seminar (which was packed with interested people), I really got a true understanding of just
how lost we are as homeowners and home buyers. During the seminar, the topics covered included: learning
about current market value, preparing for the purchase of a home, and government loan programs and their
qualifications. Larry Ward, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder for Riverside County, spoke about property taxes and
how they work. A couple of other topics addressed at the seminar included: choosing a real estate or loan
professional wisely, the common mistakes we make in purchasing a home, and the importance of learning the
language and the acronyms used when buying a home.
If you would like more information regarding this most worthwhile seminar, you may visit the following website:
www.freehomeowershiphelp.org.
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
What is a MAC?
A
MAC is a Municipal Advisory Council. The MAC was formed to bring government to
the people. The meetings serve as a forum for community input and for providing
updates from various Riverside County departments on projects located in surrounding
areas.
The MAC’s were created through establishing physical boundaries, legal descriptions, and
appointing members from the community. These actions were then adopted by the
Riverside County Board of Supervisors.
Some of the subjects included at these meetings are water usage, code enforcement,
transportation, planning, economic development, redevelopment, parks and recreation,
animal services, and public safety. - Information from Brenda Salas, Dept. of EDA
Vista Santa Rosa District 4
P
er a reported complaint, Code Enforcement Officer Rusty Hannah responded
to a reported illegal dumping of green waste and trash in a date tree
orchard. Upon the officer’s arrival, there was approximately 325 ft. X 25 ft. X 6
ft. high of dumped green waste and trash. The odor was strong and many flies
were present throughout the area.
As the site was located near a high school and nearby ranches, a Notice of
Violation (NOV) was issued immediately. Officer Hannah contacted the Code
Enforcement aides for assistance in identifying the property owners. The aides
obtained the property owners’ address, which was in nearby Indio, and provided
it to Officer Hannah. The officer contacted the property owners and apprised
them of the situation. They stated they would take care of the violation. A hand
delivered NOV was issued at that time.
Within a week, Officer Hannah received a call to meet the property owners at the
location. When the officer arrived, he observed that the green waste had been
removed from the property. The property owners stated they had worked over
the weekend to remove the waste and clean the area. Voluntary compliance was
obtained in five DAYS.
Ever Wondered What Happened…?
I
n 2006, Special Enforcement Team (SET) officers received a complaint from the Lake
Elsinore Sheriff’s office requesting to investigate illegal grading that had affected Temescal
Creek. SET officers responded to the address on Temescal Canyon Road and found a
drainage ditch flowing from the property into Temescal Creek; the creek ultimately feeds into
Corona Lake. The drainage ditch appeared to be man-made and navigated from a concrete
washout pond to the creek.
SET officers found additional violations and summoned the assistance of the Neighborhood
Enforcement Team (NET). The property owner was charged with P.C. 374.7 (A), discharging
a pollutant into the waterways.
The owner later pled guilty to Fish and Game 1602(A), substantially diverting the natural flow
of a waterway, and Fish and Game 5650(A) (6), allowing substance/material deleterious to
fish/birds/plants to enter in the waterways. The owner received summary probation until the
year 2011, and he was required to abide by additional terms set forth as a condition of his
probation.
So, "Give a hoot — don't pollute!" - Woodsy Owl
Page 5
Page 6
The Posting
Volume 3, Issue 5
Letter of Recognition Received
T
he following letter of recognition was received by the Code Enforcement Department from Sergeant Steve
DaSilva with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department:
“On Wednesday, March 25, 2009, at approximately 1120 hours, Code Enforcement Officer
Pete Hernandez was conducting patrol on a ranch located in the 83500 block of Avenue 62,
known as a common place for illegal dumping. Upon arrival, he located two subjects digging
up date palm trees. He investigated the matter and discovered the two subjects were in fact
stealing the trees. He contacted District Team Deputy Ramos who responded to the scene to
assist.
The southern Coachella Valley is currently experiencing a rash of date palm tree thefts, and as
a result of Officer Hernandez’s hard work, two date tree thieves were arrested and over $5,000
in date palm trees were recovered. The case was forwarded to the District Attorney’s office and
felony grand theft charges were filed against both suspects. Hopefully, this will put a dent in
the thefts.
Officer Hernandez, you are commended for your dedication to your job, initiative, diligence,
and teamwork. Thank you for a job well done.”
This is an example of Officer Hernandez’s strong work ethic. GOOD JOB!
Stats and Testimonials from B-Bar-H Ranch Cleanup
By Anna Miller, B-Bar-H Ranch District 5
T
he 14th of March Cleanup Day was a huge success for the B-BAR-H Ranch thanks to everyone who
participated. Following, please find cleanup event stats from Chaka Ferrell, Community Improvement Specialist with the
Riverside County Code Enforcement Department:
* At Bubbling Wells School, three roll-off dumpsters were used for the disposal of 7.01 tons of waste.
* At the B-BAR-H Ranch, two roll-off dumpsters were used for the disposal of 2.61 tons of trash.
* There were a total of 60 tires collected at the Bubbling Wells School.
Everyone spoken with reported a remarkable difference in the neighborhood since the cleanup day. It really looks great.
Thanks again to Chaka Ferrell for having dumpsters brought to the area. Plus, strong support was received from Code
Enforcement Officer Rich Arriola during the event. He spoke to the land manager of the house with all the vehicles on El
Serape. The homeowner wishes to comply with neighborhood standards and is beginning to clean up his area -- the
large trailers are off the road at least!
The Posting
O
Volume 3, Issue 5
Page 7
fficers Kirchoff and Cole were
inspecting a property in
Woodcrest and the home owner
noticed this Red Diamond Rattle
Snake. Fortunately for the Officers
the snake had just eaten, as you
can see in the picture, and was just
sunning itself and digesting its
meal. So the snake didn’t pay any
attention to the officers or warn them as
most snakes do. You never know what
you will find out at the property you are
inspecting. Be careful and watch your
step.
Watch
Your
Step
District 1
County of Riverside - Community Health Agency
Mandatory Comprehensive Trash and Garbage Collection
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors enacted Riverside County Ordinance 745 for the mandatory
comprehensive collection and disposal of solid waste within specific areas of Riverside County. This Ordinance
was enacted for the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the residents within the unincorporated
areas of Riverside County. The enactment of the Ordinance was also to help alleviate the illegal dumping of
solid waste along the roadways and on private properties in those areas of Riverside County.
In those areas that are designated for mandatory trash collection, there are several options available to the
public to ensure compliance with this ordinance:
■ Residential dwellings can obtain service through one of the franchised garbage collection
businesses.
■ The resident can apply for a permit to self-haul their waste to an
approved permitted solid waste
facility. This applies to commercial businesses as well.
■ The resident can share a commercial bin with a neighbor.
■ The resident can self-haul their residential trash to their own place of
business, if this business has an approved commercial account.
For any questions regarding the self-haul permits or the name of the franchise
hauler in your area please call (951) 955-8982.
May 2009 Calendar of Events
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
El Cerrito Cleanup (2)
3
4
5
6
7
8
9 Valle Vista Cleanup(3)
Anza Earth Day (3)
Highgrove Days (5)
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Jurupa Cleanup (2)
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
LAKE ELSINORE/MEAD VALLEY OFFICE - (951) 245-3186
JURUPA VALLEY/HOME GARDENS OFFICE - (951) 275-8739
MURRIETA SOUTH COUNTY OFFICE - (951) 600-6140
THOUSAND PALMS EAST COUNTY OFFICE - (760) 343-4150
MORENO VALLEY/BANNING OFFICE - (951) 485-5840
Riverside County
Code Enforcement
4080 Lemon Street, 12th Floor
Riverside, CA 92501
Free Housing Seminars
Topic: I Want to Keep My House
May 16th—1:00-3:15p.m.
Tierra Del Sol Senior Apts. Community Room,
37101 W. Buddy Rogers Drive, Cathedral City
May 21st—6:00-8:30p.m.
Beaumont Civic & Community Center,
550 E. 6th St., Beaumont
Topic: How Do I Purchase a Home in Today’s Market
May 16th — 3:30-6:00p.m.,Tierra Del Sol Senior Apts.
Community Room, 37101 W. Buddy Rogers Drive,
Cathedral City
May 21st — 8:30-9:30p.m., Beaumont Civic & Community
Center, 550 E. Sixth Street, Beaumont
For more information: www.freehomeowershiphelp.org