Number
111512
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. WADE, COGGS, DAVIS, PUENTE AND WITKOWKSI
Title
A substitute ordinance relating to the vandalizing of vacant properties.
Sections
110-15.7 cr
Analysis
This ordinance establishes a penalty of $1,000 to $5,000 for vandalizing a vacant building and causing more than $500 damage to the property.
Body
The Mayor and Common Council of the City of Milwaukee do ordain as follows:
Part 1. Section 101-15.7 of the code is created to read:
110-15.7. Vandalism; Vacant Buildings.
1. FINDINGS. The common council finds that a significant relationship exists between the vandalizing of vacant buildings and increased calls for police services, higher incidence of fires, both accidental and intentional, and decline and disinvestment in neighborhoods. Vandalized vacant buildings become havens for vandalism, arson and drug crimes, representing not only a drain of valuable governmental resources, but also creating a significant reduction of the quality of life for the surrounding neighborhood. The common council further finds that vandalized vacant buildings are rarely repaired and become a neighborhood blight, eventually requiring demolition of buildings. These abandoned buildings place an undue and inappropriate burden on the taxpayers of the city and pose an increased risk to public safety. This section is intended to reduce and prevent neighborhood blight, to ameliorate conditions that threaten the health, safety and welfare of the public, to promote neighborhood stability and residential owner occupancy by preserving the condition and appearance of residential properties, and to maintain residential property values and assessments.
2. PROHIBITED CONDUCT. No person may vandalize or remove materials from a vacant building without the express permission of the owner or operator of the property or by order of the department of neighborhood services relating to razing of the building.
3. PENALTIES. ...
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