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2 - Ordinance Enforcement Officer Report - September 2014 Protecting our community's health a nd the environment by providing solid waste and sewer collection services. www.cmsdca.gov Costa Mesa Sanitary District ….an Independent Special District Memorandum T o: Board of Directors Via : Scott Carroll , General Manager From: Edward Roberts, Code Enforcement Officer Date: October 14 , 2014 Sub ject: Ordinance Enforcement Officer Report – September 2014 This report summarizes major points for three ordinan ce enforcement topics covering scavenging, graffiti, and trash container e nforcement . For the month of September , the CMS D Code Enforcement O fficer focus ed his efforts on vehicle/ foot patrols in various parts of the community . The goal was to identify and deter in stances of scavenging and residential trash carts left within the public view . Reactive Scavenging Investigations: I n the month of September , numerous complaint s were filed with CMSD Code Enforcement staff regarding scavenging activity in the city. As with most scavenging complaints, the alleged violations take place in the early morning hours. In order to address resident concern s, t he Code Enforcement Officer investigate d all complaints and “adjusted ” his sche dule in order to accommodate request s for early morning or weekend enforcement. Included below are instances of scavenging that were detected while the Officer was investiga ting specific complaints. 1935 Fullerton Avenue – While patrolling the 1900 block of Fullerton Avenue, Officer Roberts observed a male and female walking on the street with trash bags in their hands. Officer Roberts decided to contact the two subjects con sensually in front of 1935 Fullerton Avenue and asked them the nature of their activity. Both parties were cooperative and admitted that they were, “canning ”, which is street vernacular for the scavenging of aluminum cans. Board of Directors October 14 , 201 4 Based on their candor and level of cooperation, b oth parties were counseled regarding scavenging from CMSD trash carts and instructed to return all recyclable material to nearby carts. Both parties complied with instructions and were sent on their way with a verbal admonishment. 2013 M eyer Place - Officer Roberts contacted a subject who identified herself verbally as Maria Luisa Pena on the street directly in front of 2013 Meyer Place . Officer Roberts observed that Maria was in the midst of removing recyclable material from within a CMS D trash cart and placing the material in side a shopping c art that she had with her. Officer Roberts directed Maria to return all of the recyclable material to the trash cart and warned her that he would be cited for future instances of scavenging. All recy clable material that Maria had obtained from the surrounding area was placed in nearby CMSD carts for recycling and Maria was sent on her way. 1696 Minorca Place - Officer R oberts observed a lone male riding on a bicycle in the 1600 block of Minorca Place and noted that the male was rummaging through CMSD trash carts as he rode by . The individual was contacted after he had been observed removing recyclable items from a cart in Officer Roberts’ presence. The subject was advised that scavenging is a prohibite d activity and instructed to return all recyclable material to a nearby trash cart . The male was compl i a nt and left the area without further incident. Puente Avenue – CMSD staff received a complaint of scavenging in the 2100 block of Puente Avenue. Numero us patrols were conducted in the area at varying times in order locate a violating party with negative results. This area has been scheduled for increased patrol checks until resolution. Aliso Avenue – CMSD staff received a complaint of scavenging in the 1600 block of Aliso Avenue. The complainant stated that a male Hispanic, observed riding on a bicycle has repeatedly scavenged from his trash container. Code Enforcement staff conducted numerous patrols of the area with negative results. This area has also been scheduled for increased patrol checks until resolved. Costa Mesa Street - A complaint was filed with this office regarding scavengers leaving the trash carts at 437 Costa Mesa Street and surrounding area a mess. Patrol checks of the area were i ncreas ed with no violator being observed . This property has been added to the extra patrol log and will have increased frequency of patrol checks in order to identify any violations. Proactive Scavenging Investigations: 2205 American Avenue - Officer Roberts o bserved a male on bicycle, rummaging through CMSD trash carts as he rode his bicycle on American Avenue. The individual, who was later identified as Kevin Dowell was contacted after being observed removing recyclable items from the cart at this location. K evin was advised that scavenging is a Board of Directors October 14 , 201 4 prohibited activity and left the area without further incident. Kevin has not been sighted since this contact. 1782 Kenwood Place - Officer Roberts observed an elderly male, rummaging through a trash cart. The individu al had a small grocery push cart with him that had an accumulation of material within. The subject was contacted and appeared to have possible psychiatric issues. Officer Roberts made an effort to advise the subject and convey that scavenging is a prohibit ed. The subject did not appear cognizant of the contact and was then asked to leave the area without taking the recyclable material with him. Subject was compliant and left without incident. 2269 Avalon Street – While patrolling the 2200 block of Avalon S treet , Officer Roberts observed a male black , that appeared to be transient based on his clothing condition a nd large amount of personal items with him . Officer Roberts’ attention was drawn to the subject because he was seen liftin g the lid of a CMSD trash cart and had placed a plastic bag against the trash cart. Officer Roberts decided to contact the male as he believed an ordinance violation of CMSD code was occurring in his presence. Officer Roberts drove closer to the subject and called out to him, ca using him to turn around. Upon recognizing the CMSD vehicle, the male became verbally abusive, yelling expletives about his desire to be left alone by the Police Department . Due to th e aggressive demeanor the subject was displaying , Officer Roberts remaine d in his veh icle in order to not escalate the situation . From within the CMSD vehicle and from a distance of approximately 10 feet , Officer Roberts instructed the male to ce ase scavenging or the Costa Mesa Police Department would be notified. The male clo sed the lid and walked off without further incident. 1956 Anaheim Avenue - Officer Roberts observed a male transient, rummaging through trash carts along the 1900 block of Anaheim Avenue. The individual was contacted in front of 1956 Anaheim Avenue and a dvised that scavenging is a prohibited activity. The male was complaint and left the area without further incident. 2227 Republic Avenue - While patrolling the 2200 block of Republic Avenue in a marked CMSD district vehicle, Officer Roberts observed a mal e white that was riding on a bmx style bicycle. As Officer Roberts drove closer, he noted that the male had recyclable material contained within two large transparent bags affixed to the handlebars of the bicycle he was riding. Based on his observations an d reasonable suspicion that the male had violated CMSD scavenging ordinances, Offi cer Roberts decided to contact the male and investigate further. Upon contact with the subject, the male adamantly denied having scavenged from CMSD residential trash carts a nd added that he had obtained the recyclables at his residence. Officer Roberts was unable to substantiate a violation and issued a verbal warning. The subject was Board of Directors October 14 , 201 4 advised that if observed violating CMSD code in the future, he will be subject to citation. The male stated that he understood and was sent on his way without incident. END OF SCAVENGING ENFORCEMENT REPORT Trash Container Enforcement : In the month of September , there were a few customer complaints reported to the District Headquarters rega r ding trash carts 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: 15 The following locations received First Warnings: (1) Baker Street - Storage of ca rt in public view. (1) Maple Street - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Ellesmere Avenue - Storage of cart in public view. (3) Wallace Avenue - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Knox Place - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Elden Drive - Storag e of cart in public view. (2) Wilson Street - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Westminster Avenue - Storage of cart in public view. (2) Victoria Avenue - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Rutgers Drive - Storage of cart in public view. (1) Joann St reet - Storage of cart in public view. END OF TRASH CONTAINER ENFORCEMENT REPORT Board of Directors October 14 , 201 4 No case s of graffiti on a trash carts were opened in the month of September .