FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Ken Herbert, ECFD Crime Prevention 760-337-4567

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The City of El Centro will be reinstituting its forced abatement program to encourage residents around the city to keep their property, sidewalks and alleys clear of weeds and trash.

“This program, which was temporarily suspended last fall, was formerly handled through an independent contractor,” said Fire Chief Chris Petree. “This one will be handled in house.”
He said Engine Companies from the Fire Department will be assisting by identifying parcels of property that contain fire hazards. In addition, the department also will be accepting calls from the public regarding areas that need to be cleaned.

The city has a stiff ordinance in place that is designed to clean up both business and residential property that has been neglected by owners. It formally was administered through a contract with Fire Prevention Services, Inc.

The ordinance is designed to encourage safer and cleaner neighborhoods. If, after repeated warnings from the city, property owners fail to abate nuisances, the city will clean up offending properties and the property owners will be billed. Liens also can be placed on the property. “Unfortunately there are some property owners who allow their property deteriorate to the point where property values can be impacted and they create fire hazards,” said Fire Marshal Ken Herbert, program coordinator. “While these people only constitute a small portion of our property owners, they can create a large problem,” he added.

“In order for this program to succeed, we need the cooperation of all of our residents,” Herbert said. Residents with questions or information on property that needs abatement can contact the El Centro Fire Prevention Bureau at 337-4567.

For City of El Centro Original Press Release, please press HERE.