Dear Editor,
Procedure on what complainant must go through to file a complaint:
- Get a copy of the complaint form. This is an internal form.
- Fill out and make your own copy. County charges 25 cents per copy. Make sure they sign both forms and keep your copy as a record.
- Then wait! For the investigation of the complaint.
The inspector will then categorize the complaint as unfounded, minor or major. These categories are very subjective based on the opinion of the inspector. A pile of trash or a derelict car may be unfounded by one inspector and a minor infraction by another. This approach creates confusion and frustration on the part of complainants. Unfounded violations tend to turn into minor and minor into major. All the while the violator goes about business as usual!
The complainant must then request, in a few weeks if lucky, an update and status report to find out the assigned category. A case number will then be issued and letters will be sent to the property owner to rectify the situation. It is to be hoped that the first letter will resolve the problem. If not, a second letter is generated and after a subjective period of time, with no correction, the complaint should be turned over to the Mohave County Attorney’s Office. I’m not sure how many reach this point but is sure seems that the system favors the violators over the interests of the community.
I am a resident of Valle Vista and have seen my code violation complaints fall routinely into the unfounded category – nothing is done by code enforcement, no follow up, small violations persist and become major violations. Property owners see this lack of enforcement and believe they can get away with anything. More proactive policies by code enforcement would to a long way in protecting our quality of life and the desert environment we all have come to enjoy.
Kim Gaines
Valle Vista
