THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 4, 1996 TAG: 9609040411
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TERRI WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 68 lines
The City Council will listen to public comment tonight on whether to adopt a state code that would allow Suffolk to tear down dilapidated buildings that harbor illegal drug activity.
The code, officials said, will give the city a tool it needs to get rid of crack houses.
Citizens will be able to speak on the matter at 7 p.m. in the council chambers. The council plans to amend its ordinance with the state code. However, before it can amend it, it must first hold a public hearing to get citizen comment. The council is not scheduled to vote on the ordinance tonight but could adopt it after the hearing.
The current city code allows demolition of unsafe and abandoned buildings, but doesn't extend the authority to those harboring drug activity, said housing code inspections official Vanessa M. Savage.
The state code would allow all city agencies to work as a team to root out drug dens, said Suffolk Police spokesman Mike Simpkins.
The state code also allows police to look into property without waiting for a complaint, which the current code requires, Simpkins said.
``It gives us a firmer foundation to go on a property and investigate,'' Simpkins said. ``And we now have the support of other city agencies.''
The code, passed two years ago by the General Assembly, works this way:
If police have determined that illegal activity is going on at a location or if a complaint is filed regarding a specific property, police may issue an affidavit to the housing inspections office.
Housing inspections officials then notify the property owner, giving the owner 30 days to correct the conduct described in the affidavit.
The actions a property owner can take, Simpkins said, include: erecting a ``no trespassing'' sign, or boarding up or locking the property.
If no corrective action is taken by the owner within 30 days, city officials can serve another notice that gives the owner 15 days before the property is removed or demolished.
Hubert H. Young, president of the Suffolk Property Owners and Management Association, said he and other members of his organization welcome adoption of the state code but worry about possible constitutional violations.
``The truth is, even criminals have rights,'' Young said, ``and you have to be careful.''
Young likes the concept of city agencies working together to attack drugs. ``At first glance, it's easy to blame City Hall,'' said Young. ``But the problem can't be resolved by one group. All agencies, including law enforcement, must work as a team.''
Simpkins said police must establish probable cause before determining there's drug activity. In a typical case, police will search for drug paraphernalia, do surveillance work and interview neighbors about activity at the property, Simpkins said.
Some residents said they would welcome the change.
Wendy Hill, past president of the Hall Place Civic League, has fought for months to clear out blight in her community near downtown. She only hopes the ordinance won't disregard abandoned structures that aren't harboring illegal activity.
``I think it's a step in the right direction,'' Hill said. ``At least they're going after the most important structures, because you don't need that in a neighborhood.'' MEMO: PUBLIC HEARING
What: Public hearing to solicit citizen input about a state code that
would allow city officials to tear down buildings harboring drug
activity
Time: 7 tonight
Where: 441 Market Street, City Council chambers
KEYWORDS: SUBSTANDARD HOUSING CITY CODE by CNB