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Property cops looking to run down run-down property owners

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The 'Broken Windows Theory' states that houses that are in disrepair and not in compliance lead to suppressed values for nearby homes and blighting issues of neighborhood development and revitalization, (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A new initiative begun by the city's Building, Zoning and Licensing Services seeks to target run down, dilapidate properties for mandatory improvements.

It's called Neighborhood Compliance Inspections and was rolled out last month with a total of 36 properties selected to be brought up to snuff.

According to the city department, NCI are an attempt to make major impacts in our neighborhoods for the betterment of all.

"Essentially, we are using the 'Broken Windows Theory' that houses that are in disrepair and not in compliance lead to suppressed values for nearby homes and blighting issues of neighborhood development and revitalization," a description of the program reads in a packet sent in advance of Tuesday's City Council workshop.

The intent is to enforce city codes to increase surrounding property values by reducing or eliminating the blight of an individual property that needs attentions.

The initiative will continue through the summer with the department picking streets in Rochester that have ongoing code complaints and issues.

According to a description of the program provided in the agenda packet, "Staff will ... physically walk them in an attempt to identify all violations that may exist."

Typical infractions could include garbage and trash, rotting wood along rooves, broken fences, unregistered cars, and missing house numbers. "We then will be working with the owners to get these properties into code compliance," the description of the program states, concluding, "It is our hope this proactive response will generate a great response from the property owners and citizens of Rochester to have a positive impact on our city."

Department chief Jim Grant was not available to comment further on the project on Friday.

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