News, Waterford

What a nuisance! Waterford trying to cut down on chronic police calls

By Dave Fidlin

Correspondent

A proposed ordinance aimed at charging property owners who overuse police resources could be added to the Town of Waterford’s books as soon as next month.

The Town Board on May 11 continued to discuss a proposed chronic nuisance ordinance that was first discussed in April.

Although far and few between, there have been isolated instances where the town’s police force has been called to properties on a repeat basis for the same types of calls. Oftentimes, the calls are related to domestic issues or the prevalence of trash on a property.

When the ordinance was discussed last month in its draft state, the conversation veered around landlords and unruly renters. But at this week’s Town Board meeting, officials said it could apply to homeowners as well.

There was widespread support of moving forward with the ordinance, but officials decided to hold off on a final decision until the town’s June meeting so Police Chief Tom Ditscheit and his officers could thoroughly review all of the stipulations in the ordinance.

“I think this will be extremely helpful to us,” Ditscheit said. “We’re going to be careful in how we apply it.”

In chronic cases where people legitimately need help and guidance, Ditscheit said the fine likely will be waived.

Town Attorney Michael Dubis said the ordinance as drafted has been built with a number of safeguards in place. For example, Ditscheit and any successor would first issue two warnings before a citation is issued.

“What this basically becomes is a tax levy on the property,” Dubis said of the rationale behind the ordinance.

Town Chairman Tom Hincz, who was instrumental in bringing the ordinance to the table, said the exact amount of fines has yet to be determined.

“That still needs to be hashed out,” he commented.

3 Comments

  1. The good news is that these two clowns, Dipscheit and Klitch, are a decade behind their neighboring communities. Leading from behind again!

  2. Village resident

    Well now, there is nothing like expressing via ordinance how annoyed you are by those you are elected or appointed to serve. I’m so looking forward to a regressive policing style here in the village when the two Tom Turkey’s take over.

  3. When “neighbors” become a nuisance and you call the NON-EMERGENT number we expect the police to show up. If homeowners are reluctant to call the police because they will be cited. The police WILL respond when homeowners take matters into their own hands! If your going to cite nuisance police calls, you better start charging Nuisance Rescue calls! Calling for a cut finger, headache, cramp, “lonely cause the kids didn’t come this weekend so I need attention” calls! Get real people. Its part of the protective services in every city, county and state! Bad neighbors can make ones life “h”… Conceal and open carry is an option if you don’t want your police responding. Basically it comes down to MONEY, you don’t want to pay for additional staff but find less important ways to spend our tax monies. SUPPORT OUR LOCAL PROTECTIVE SERVICES, GIVE THEM WHAT THEY NEED TO KEEP OUR TOWN SAVE!