The city’s commitment to a clean and clutter-free environment has earned Irving recognition as a Scenic City by Scenic Texas. Two examples of programs dedicated to maintaining the visual appearance of the city include the Litter Abatement Team and the recently piloted Code Cadet program.
A new Code Cadet program offers resident volunteers the opportunity to keep neighborhoods clean and beautiful, serve the community by helping to enforce city standards. Cadets are certified for field work after completing a five-hour training class that focuses on key code ordinances and documenting violations. The inaugural class of cadets is made up of five residents from the Arts District Neighborhood Association. A chief goal of the Code Cadet program is to educate residents on the city’s code and gain voluntary compliance by issuing friendly notices to violators who may not be fully aware of city standards. Violations that are found to be non-compliant following receipt of a cadet-issued notice and a second inspection will become official code complaints that are submitted to the city
“A chief goal of the Code Cadet program is to educate residents on the city’s code and gain voluntary compliance by issuing friendly notices to violators who may not be fully aware of city standards,” said Code Enforcement Manager Darrell Hammond. “Violations that are found to be non-compliant following receipt of a cadet-issued notice and a second inspection will become official code complaints that are submitted to the city.”
By implementing the program, the city expects to increase public education and code enforcement resources, enhance the spirit of community cooperation, increase pride in neighborhoods, preserve property values and decrease crime. If successful, the Code Cadet program will be expanded to include all interested neighborhood and homeowner associations in the city.
Litter Abatement Team
A new Code Cadet program offers resident volunteers the opportunity to keep neighborhoods clean and beautiful, serve the community by helping to enforce city standards. Cadets are certified for field work after completing a five-hour training class that focuses on key code ordinances and documenting violations. The inaugural class of cadets is made up of five residents from the Arts District Neighborhood Association. A chief goal of the Code Cadet program is to educate residents on the city’s code and gain voluntary compliance by issuing friendly notices to violators who may not be fully aware of city standards. Violations that are found to be non-compliant following receipt of a cadet-issued notice and a second inspection will become official code complaints that are submitted to the city
“A chief goal of the Code Cadet program is to educate residents on the city’s code and gain voluntary compliance by issuing friendly notices to violators who may not be fully aware of city standards,” said Code Enforcement Manager Darrell Hammond. “Violations that are found to be non-compliant following receipt of a cadet-issued notice and a second inspection will become official code complaints that are submitted to the city.”
By implementing the program, the city expects to increase public education and code enforcement resources, enhance the spirit of community cooperation, increase pride in neighborhoods, preserve property values and decrease crime. If successful, the Code Cadet program will be expanded to include all interested neighborhood and homeowner associations in the city.
Litter Abatement Team
Another group addressing code violations, such as loose rubbish and stray shopping carts, is the Litter Abatement Team. City staff from various departments work to enhance the visual image of the community and remove litter on Irving’s most traveled thoroughfares.
Residents are noticing the improvements. In the last city survey, the percentage of respondents rating Irving’s visual appeal as good or excellent improved from previous years. Results of the Litter Abatement Team are causing Irving to sparkle—since April 2008, the team has:
Residents are noticing the improvements. In the last city survey, the percentage of respondents rating Irving’s visual appeal as good or excellent improved from previous years. Results of the Litter Abatement Team are causing Irving to sparkle—since April 2008, the team has:
- Collected 827 shopping carts
- Planted 461 trees
- Removed 217 tons of litter from city streets
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Swept more than 7,000 miles of street lanes
“The Litter Abatement Team is a resource for Irving residents,” said Corridor Manager Doug Wilson, who manages the team. “More than likely, those who work to resolve issues reported by residents to the city’s 24-hour Litter Hot Line are members of this team, and they really do an awesome job.”
