On December 11, 2006 the City Council adopted File Ordinance No. 2006-352 regulating chronic nuisance premises. This ordinance was requested by the Police Department following a substantial problem solving effort directed at a multi-unit residence in the City that required 194 police responses and 42 arrests in 2005. Team members assigned to this project worked closely with the property owner in abating the nuisance conditions and found the property owner's assistance to be critical in providing a solution to the problem. As part of the review of the problem solving process, team members suggested adding a municipal ordinance that provides the Janesville Police Department with the ability to gain or leverage compliance from property owners of chronic nuisance premises.

Citizen input was utilized in the drafting of File Ordinance No. 2006-352. The ordinance was shared with the Property Owners Total Quality Management (TQM) group, a group of citizens that own property in Janesville and do not work for the City, prior to adoption by the City Council. This group shared concerns, suggested changes, provided feedback and discussed possible impacts of the ordinance.

The Chronic Nuisance Premises Team was established in August of 2014 to better combat nuisance premises. The goal of the team is to educate property owners, prevent future problems, work with the impacted community and create safer neighborhoods by identifying and resolving nuisance premises.

The officers on the team work together with Neighborhood and Community Services, neighborhood groups, landlords and problem tenants to resolve issues at nuisance premises. Team members are responsible for identifying nuisance premises, reviewing calls for service, reviewing reports and drafting warning letters and notices. If an abatement process is initiated for a problem residence or business, team members meet with the landlords or property owners. During the abatement meeting, the problem or problem tenants at the location are identified and discussed. The officers aid the property owner and establish a plan to rectify the problem.

Please click here to view the chronic nuisance premises ordinance. You may also contact Lieutenant Jim Holford III with additional questions or concerns. 

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