Warner Robins police provide updates on code enforcement

WARNER ROBINS — Since May of this year, the city of Warner Robins’ code enforcement has been integrated into the police department, and city leaders report increased success with the program.

Speaking at a recent city council meeting, City Administrator James Drinkard commended the code enforcement department and their impact on the community.

“I’m very proud of the work that our code enforcement division has been doing. You asked them to be aggressive and to get out there and make a difference in the community, and that difference has been significant,” Drinkard said.

Police Chief Wayne Fisher provided updates.

“They’ve made significant differences within the community that many do not see on a day in and day out basis, and those impacts not only affect the quality of life within homeowners, but also do have a secondary, tertiary effect back on our abilities in crime fighting as well within the city,” Fisher said.

After the department’s integration, the police department conducted an assessment of code enforcement’s functionality. Fisher said the department found code enforcement needed more resources and guidance.

For example, code enforcement needed vehicle upgrades and a standardized uniform, according to Fisher, who said code enforcement work is similar to police work.

“They are found to be in pretty much equal situations to us as law enforcement, as we’re dealing with residents and other persons of nature, if you will, within their duties,” Fisher said.

Code enforcement radios were also not integrated into the county’s 911 system, so the department acquired portable radios that were integrated.

The department also upgraded code enforcement’s iPad systems, with similar functionality to police laptops.

Following a similar process to the police department, code enforcement shifted to beats, Fisher said. Code enforcement technology was also merged into the department’s Real Time Crime Center, with trail cameras placed to mitigate illegal dumping.

Another process that was expedited was court appearances and citations.

Previously, a violation could take multiple warnings and several months to receive a court date. Then, at court, the property owner would have another three months to correct the violation, according to Fisher.

Now, once a warning has been issued, the property owner has 15 days to correct the violation. If no action was taken, a citation would be written, and the city would clean the property. Fisher said so far, the city had cleaned 129 residential properties and 34 commercial properties.

At the court date, the property owner would pay restitution for the cleanup costs, often through liens.

Since the department’s integration, code enforcement has identified 32 commercial blighted properties and 36 residential blighted properties. Eight are scheduled for demolition court in December.

51 properties are under liens, totaling around $23,000 in unrecouped monies.

Fisher ended his updates by expressing gratitude to the code enforcement team.

“These men and women have sat behind shadows without sunlight or the wind to their sail to push them forward, to give them recognition. At this point in time, I wish to thank the team for all that you’ve done for the city of Warner Robins, and give me the availability to have these numbers to present to reflect your hard work,” Fisher said.

Mayor LaRhonda Patrick, Councilman Clifford Holmes, and Councilman Charlie Bibb also commended the department for their work. Holmes also brought attention to more blight on North Davis Drive.

“Thank you, Chief Fisher, thank you to our code enforcement team. Thank you for all the hard work. I see you guys have been really busy,” Patrick said.

“I, too, would like to commend the patrol group. I have seen a remarkable improvement,” Holmes said.

“I’ll speak for all the council, that this was very important to us when we had our meeting, and that progress report was outstanding. Very encouraged sitting on this side of the desk,” Bibb said.

Moving forward, Bibb said he would like to begin addressing businesses with blighted signs and working to adequately fund the department.

“I don’t want that department to ever get in a bind to where they’re scratching for finances. I don’t think that department ought to ever be in a situation where they’re scratching for funds to continue to make our city look beautiful,” Bibb said.

Drinkard replied, saying the city is working with the finance department to use restitution and blight tax to further fund the department.