Continuing coverage: Trash on South Bend streets, alleys
SOUTH BEND, Ind.-- ABC57 continues to report on the persistence of trash and dumping on South Bend's west side.
ABC57 has been reaching out to the City of South Bend for an interview with a code enforcement representative since Friday.
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Roughly two hours after providing that information, code enforcement inspected the van and left a red-tag notice for expired plates and a flat tire.
This comes after one neighbor, Erica Johnson, said she's noticed the car, which she mentioned often smells, for over a year.
"I've been walking past it for the last two years, I've been noticing that van for a long time," she said. "They need to come and get it and clean it out."
City officials did not make themselves available for an interview with ABC57 on this topic on Wednesday.
The most common types of environmental code violations in South Bend are: uncollected trash, debris, fallen trees and limbs, demolition remains, auto parts and scrap metal, and grass or weeds over 9 inches tall.
According to the city website and a statement from a city spokesperson, an inspector will investigate a property if they receive a complaint about code violations, typically within two days of the complaint. If the inspector finds a violation, a notice will be sent to the property owner, who then has 10 days to come into compliance. Then the property is reinspected, and a crew will be sent to mitigate the issue if it still persists, at the property owner's expense.
Code enforcement appears to face many challenges. For one, officers cannot enter property if it's fenced.
Plus, what can they do if the property owner lives out of state or if the property is abandoned?
And, how can they enforce violations if no one is calling the city to report them?
But some spots are being taken care of. On Friday, ABC57 reported on a persistent dumping site in an alley behind Elmer Street. When ABC57's Annie Kate went back Wednesday morning, it had been cleaned.
There are many things residents can do about code violations, including calling 311 to report violations or to schedule a large-item trash pickup. Residents get one free pickup every month.
More information can be found here: https://southbendin.gov/department/community-investment/code-enforcement/