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By shaddupsevenup (registered) | Posted January 20, 2010 at 20:29:03
Okay, now that I'm not at work, I want to chime in and say that the main reason why property standards officers don't stop and reflect on buildings on their way in to work, or while out on the weekends is that nobody likes doing their job when they are not being paid. Now that the obvious is out of the way, the reason the property standards bylaw is enforced on a complaint basis is because there are ... oh, maybe 15, but probably less, officers for the entire City (I can find out tomorrow). Hamilton, Stoney Creek, Ancaster, Flamborough etc. They do not go out looking for every crack in a building foundation, or a leaning fence. Also, this year, they all have had to take courses on legal note taking, as they often have to go to court and must make sure that their t's are crossed and their i's are dotted. Proper note taking that will stand up in court is not a hasty scribble. Also, if an officer spends a few hours a week in court, that is time that they are not on the beat doing inspections. I think the public thinks that an officer answers the phone, takes the info, hops in the car, drives to a site that is five minutes away, snaps a pic and issues an order to comply. If you think that Property Standards requires more staff, I'd agree with you, and then heartily tell you to take it up with HR and Council.
Also ... hm. It's possible that vindictive people might make it a habit of tying up resources by making repeated complaints against an individual (say a neighbour they don't like), who responds by making complaints against the original complainant. Some residents use the bylaw office as a referee which is a HUGE waste of taxpayer dollars. Just sayin'. Hamiltonians are guilty of wasting taxpayer money as well.
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