Dozens of houses in one Elmira neighborhood now face code violations. It happened during a targeted sweep Wednesday morning. As Time Warner Cable News reporter Matt Jarchow explains, neighbors hope this will be the start of many improvements to come.
ELMIRA, N.Y. -- Inside any city are neighborhoods needing a lift.
Elmira officials targeted one of those areas Wednesday morning during a sweep of Oak Street and Linden Place.
"We felt that there were a lot of problems that were in need of enforcement here," Elmira Code Enforcement Director Tom Skebey said. "In conversations with the code staff, and the police department, we decided to hit this area for code enforcement."
Code and parking enforcement and animal control knocked on doors and swept the streets looking for outside violations in the yards or on the houses.
"The goal is to get people to get their houses fixed up," Skebey said. "There's a lot of nice houses in the city of Elmira, and it's important for everybody to be responsible and keep their houses in good shape."
Code enforcement checked 100 properties Wednesday. They cited 56 for exterior property maintenance issues, 12 for high grass, 13 for garbage, and nine for vacant structures.
Some residents supported the sweeps.
"I hope that it forces some of these landlords or whatever's going on around here, stray pets, I hope that it forces them to do something about it," said Ronnie Clark, Linden Place resident.
Those found in violation will have to do something to avoid a possible court date. Owners will be notified of violations by mail with a timeline to make changes. Changes that could bring a better looking city.
"I think it's a great idea, clean up a run down neighborhood," Clark said.
More sweeps are expected throughout the city.