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02 - Ordinance Enforcement Officer Report Protecting our community's health and the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Costa Mesa Sanitary District ….an Independent Special District Memorandum To: Board of Directors Via: Scott Carroll, General Manager From: Edward Roberts, Code Enforcement Officer Date: August 18, 2014 Subject: Ordinance Enforcement Officer Report – July 2014 This report summarizes major points for three ordinance enforcement topics covering scavenging, graffiti, and trash container enforcement. For the month of July, the CMSD Code Enforcement Officer primarily focused his efforts on detecting instances of scavenging in the community. The Officer noted that most instances of scavenging are conducted in the early morning hours and conducted various directed patrols throughout the residential areas to deter individuals from scavenging. Reactive Scavenging Investigations: In the month of July, scavenging activity was reported in the vicinity of 490 E. 19th Street by a resident via the, “Govoutreach” electronic complaint system. In response, the Code Enforcement Officer conducted repeated patrol checks in the residential district to identify any violators. One transient (male white, age: 40-45, 6'00-6'02, Weight: 200, Brown hair, Blue eyes) was observed riding on a bicycle that contained a large amount of recyclable material in plastic bags, suspended from the handle bars. The officer contacted the individual (who identified himself as Gary, NFD) near the intersection of 19th Street and Orange Avenue and identified himself by presenting credentials as the CMSD Code Enforcement Officer. During the course of the contact, the Officer noted that Gary appeared to be indigent and not entirely coherent. Gary was advised regarding scavenging and told to leave recyclable material in trash carts. Gary stated that he obtains his recyclables from commercial dumpsters in the W. 19th Street area and denied obtaining recyclable material from CMSD residential trash carts. Gary again was advised to not rummage through residential trash carts Board of Directors June 6, 2014 belonging to the CMSD. Gary stated that he understood by saying, "yes" and was sent on his way. Since that date, the Officer has continued to monitor the area on a daily basis with no subsequent violations observed. Proactive Scavenging Investigations: 636 West Wilson Street-Officer Roberts contacted an individual who identified himself verbally as Robert Thacker (DOB: 02-13-1978) on the sidewalk in front of the residence. Officer Roberts noted that Robert had a small plastic bag with him and was in the middle of removing recyclable material from within a CMSD trash cart. Robert was identified and asked to return to all recyclable material to the trash cart. Due to Robert’s level of cooperation, he was advised of policy and sent on his way with a verbal admonishment. 1980 Wallace Avenue-Officer Roberts observed a male white, who refused to be identified rummaging through trash carts located on the property. Officer Roberts contacted the individual from his vehicle and advised him the scavenging is a prohibited activity. The unidentified male then stopped rummaging through the can and rode away on his bicycle. The subject refused to identify himself or speak to the officer. The physical description the subject is: Male white, age 25-30, Height: 5’07-5’09, weight: 135 pounds, Hair: Blond, Eyes: Blue, facial hair: unkempt beard. Officer Roberts will continue to monitor the area for the individual. If he is observed violating CMSD ordinances, Officer Roberts will coordinate with CMPD in an attempt to identify the violator and issue a citation. 2276 Federal Avenue-While on patrol, Officer Roberts observed a female, who was later identified as Shannon Blauer riding on a bicycle. Officer Roberts noticed that Shannon had a black shopping bag with her that appeared to contain plastic bottles. Officer Roberts followed Shannon from a distance and noticed that she came to a stop in front of the residence at 2276 Federal Avenue. While at the residence, Shannon was observed opening the lid of the trash cart and started rummaging through the interior. Officer Roberts approached in his vehicle and called out to Shannon. Officer Roberts did not exit his vehicle as he did not want to contact a female without witness or recording equipment. Officer Roberts asked Shannon to identify herself and the advised her that scavenging is a prohibited activity. Shannon stated that she understood and was sent on her way. 2192 Miner Street –Two transients were observed walking through the residential street and had empty glass bottles on their person. Officer Roberts did not observe the two individuals scavenging, however formed the opinion that a violation may have occurred due to CMSD cart being on the street and because they had glass bottles in their hands. Officer Roberts contacted the males and advised them scavenging activity is prohibited. The two transients were inebriated and became uncooperative. Due to no Board of Directors June 6, 2014 violation being observed and for safety purposes, Officer Roberts disengaged the contact. Officer Roberts will continue to monitor the Miner Street area for future violations. 949 Presidio Drive- While on patrol Officer Roberts observed a female transient scavenging through a trash cart that was located on the street directly in front of 949 Presidio Drive. Officer Roberts contacted the female and directed her to stop. During the course of the contact, the female identified herself as Linda Calderon and advised of policy. Her name was entered in a rolling log that Officer Roberts keeps with him and advised that she will be cited in the future if she is determined to be scavenging. Linda was sent on her way with no further incident. 540 West Wilson Street- While patrolling the 500 block of Wilson Street, Officer Roberts observed two males riding on bicycles. Officer Roberts noted that one of the males had a bag that appeared to contain recyclable material in it. Officer Roberts followed the individuals for a distance but did not observe them commit any violations in his presence. Officer Roberts then pulled alongside the two males, as they were stopped near 540 West Wilson Street. Officer Roberts asked the males if he could talk to them in a consensual manner. Both males agreed to talk him. Officer Roberts asked the one male that was in possession of the recyclable material, how he had obtained it. The male then admitted to scavenging from a residential trash cart, somewhere in the adjoining tract of homes. Due to no violation being committed in Officer Roberts’ presence, the male was advised of policy and sent on his way. 2104 Monrovia Avenue- Officer Roberts contacted a female transient in front of the location, after being observed scavenging through a trash cart. Upon contacting the female, Officer Roberts noticed that she suffered from obvious mental disabilities. The female was instructed to return all recyclable material and cease scavenging. The female was counseled and sent on her way. END OF SCAVENGING ENFORCEMENT REPORT Trash Container Enforcement: In the month of July, there were numerous customer complaints reported to the District Headquarters regarding trash bins in public view. The following is a list of locations where trash cart violations were found and addressed by the Courtesy Notice process. Total Cases: 17 The following locations received First Warnings: (1) Darrell Street- Storage of carts in public view. (3) Maple Avenue- Storage of carts in public view. Board of Directors June 6, 2014 (1) Congress Street- Storage of carts in public view. (2) West Wilson Street- Storage of carts in public view. (1) Raleigh Avenue - Storage of carts in public view. (2) Pomona Avenue- Storage of carts in public view. (1) Rutgers Drive - Storage of carts in public view. (1) Seal Street - Storage of carts in public view. (1) Sydney Lane - Storage of carts in public view. (1) Cove Street- Storage of carts in public view. (1) Surf Street- Storage of carts in public view. (1) Ralcam Place - Storage of carts in public view. (1) Yorkshire Street - Storage of carts in public view. END OF TRASH CONTAINER ENFORCEMENT REPORT Trash Container Enforcement: No cases of graffiti on trash carts were opened in the month of July.