The city’s Code Cadet program, which allows volunteers to help address code violations with their neighbors, has been expanded and made available to all qualified residents.
The pilot program started last year with participation by residents of neighborhood and homeowner associations. Volunteers attend a four-hour training class to become certified as a cadet and then assist Code Enforcement to gain voluntary compliance for code violations in their neighborhood.
“Code Cadets play an important role in developing a clean, attractive and safe community,” said Code Enforcement Manager Darrell Hammond. “By issuing friendly notices to neighbors, Code Cadets can help gain voluntary compliance and teach others about common code violations.”
Code issues cited by cadet volunteers include outside storage, high grass and weeds, trash out too early and parking on the grass. Residents who are found to be in violation following receipt of a cadet-issued notice and a second inspection are submitted to Code Enforcement as official code complaints.
Since the program’s inception, Code Cadets have notified more than 200 residents of violations with a 75 percent voluntary compliance rate. Neighborhood and homeowner associations taking part in the program: Arts District, Owen Point, Irving Hospital District, Historic Hospital District, Hackberry Creek, High Point Estates and Grauwyler Heights.
Applicants must be 21 years of age and have email access.
