Councilman Greg Stanton's
Neighborhood News Council Corner Column
March 2006 Supporting Neighborhood Inspectors
Some unsung heroes in our city work every day to make our neighborhoods cleaner, safer and free of blight. Phoenix neighborhood inspectors are responsible for enforcing our city codes. They investigate complaints about important neighborhood issues such as excess trash, cars on lawns and illegal home additions. Neighborhood inspectors are some of the key people working to ensure our neighborhoods stay strong.
Like police officers, prosecutors and other public safety workers, the neighborhood inspector job can be a risky one. Going to people’s homes and letting them know they need to make changes to follow city regulations can place inspectors in dangerous situations.
That’s why proposed state legislation to give added protections to neighborhood inspectors is an excellent idea. We strongly support state representative and former Phoenix City Councilman John Nelson’s House Bill 2220. It would provide added safeguards for neighborhood inspectors, known in many cities as code enforcement officers. The bill would help ensure that their private information stays private, giving them the same kind of protections already in place for judges, prosecutors, police officers and constables.
Sadly, code enforcement officers in other states have been injured and even killed on the job. We must support measures that will contribute to preventing similar occurrences here.
Working to keep them safe is just one way we can say "thank you" to these unsung heroes. Councilman Greg Stanton represents District 6, which includes north central Phoenix, Ahwatukee Foothills, Arcadia and the Biltmore area. To reach his office, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or call 602-262-7491.
