Codewatch Program May Be Expanded

The city’s Volunteer Bureau will release a 60-day status report today recommending an expansion of Neighborhood Codewatch, a pilot program designed to uncover code violations.

Launched in August, the program trains volunteers in four Los Angeles council districts to monitor business and residential neighborhoods looking for any of 12 specific code violations, including cars parked on lawns, overgrown vegetation and general property disrepair.

Modeled after a similar effort in San Diego, Neighborhood Codewatch was designed to relieve pressure on the city’s overburdened building inspectors and to give neighborhoods a new tool for fighting urban blight.

In its report, the Volunteer Bureau recommends making Neighborhood Codewatch a permanent city program that will be expanded to all 15 council districts.

Program coordinator Dale Wong said that 49% of the 207 violations cited by volunteers in the first two months have been corrected by property owners.

“Based on the compliance levels, it’s definitely working,” Wong said.

City officials said concerns remain about the public’s understanding of the program. The Volunteer Bureau, which is run by Mayor Riordan’s office, has received some angry phone calls.

The report, which was endorsed by Riordan, is scheduled to be reviewed today by the City Council’s Personnel Committee.

It must also be approved by the Budget and Finance and Public Safety committees before the council votes on the recommendations, said Councilwoman Laura Chick, the program’s initial sponsor.

“I’d say that something that is getting 50% compliance on code violations, with very little expense and very little staff time, is very effective,” Chick said.

“I’m not satisfied with 50%, but I think it’s only going to get better,” she said.