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The Alton, Illinois Nuisance Abatement Task Force was established in October 2002 by joining the efforts of Alton’s Community Prosecution Grant and Alton Weed and Seed Strategy The task force has brought government and law enforcement together with resident representatives at least monthly since then. The goal of the Nuisance Abatement Task Force is to target problem properties throughout the City of Alton and abate those problems through combined efforts.
Monthly “Knock and Talk” enforcement days bring the combined clout of several law enforcement agencies and city code inspectors to the doors of problem properties and send the message that nuisance or illegal activities have been reported for this address and will not be tolerated. The Nuisance Abatement Task Force worked so well it was codified by act of the Alton City Council and its members. Meetings and purpose were ordained pursuant to Alton City Code Ordinance No. 6727.
Nuisances have been abated. Drugs and other stolen property have been confiscated. Landlords or homeowners are put on notice of the various problems. The neighbors can witness first hand the time and effort devoted to resolving crime and sub-standard conditions in their neighborhoods. Nuisance Abatement Task Force flyers have been published and made available to all citizens whereby they can notify the city of any potential problems they witness or know of. Landlords are frequently called to meet with the Alton City Attorney, Building and Zoning and Alton Police Department officials in an attempt to amicably abate the problems. Probationer and parolee residency reporting requirements are being more efficiently monitored. Illegal occupancy, the by-product of drug dealers who do not wish their presence known, are being rooted out and abolished.
Again, in conjunction with funds from the Community Prosecution Grant & Alton Weed & Seed Strategy, Alton law enforcement and residents alike will have access to Safe City, tm, G.I.S. crime mapping data. Documentation evidencing all arrests made in the City of Alton, whether traffic, misdemeanor, or felonies are cross-checked with city occupancy records for verification. Absentee landlords or landlords who otherwise do not care for the general well-being of the city are being brought to court on a myriad of charges including: allowing illegal occupancy, building code violations and criminal housing management. Once the nuisance property has been corrected it is put on the retired list.
The Nuisance Abatement Task Force has targeted the use of drug paraphernalia by outlawing the sale of certain smoking devices in the city. The task force has also set up new guidelines for the prosecution of prostitution in the City of Alton. As prostitution in this area is commonly a result of drug addiction, the task force, working with the drug-court system, has developed strategies whereby arrestees are being sent through drug rehabilitation programs.
The task force is currently addressing nuisances relating to animals. Since it is common practice for drug dealers and users to own vicious breeds of dogs, these animals are used as deterrents to law enforcement and rival dealers and also as status symbols. The task force is currently drafting legislation that will closely monitor the ownership of certain vicious breeds. The Alton Animal Control Department has also been moved under the guidance of the Alton Police Department.
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