$15,000 Grant Given to Codewatch Program

Top city officials, business leaders and community volunteers will congregate at Sherman Oaks Library today to announce the receipt of a $15,000 grant aimed at enhancing Neighborhood Codewatch.

The program, created by Councilwoman Laura Chick, is designed to improve compliance with city codes. To identify violations ranging from inoperative vehicles to illegal signs and general property disrepair, a corps of citizen volunteers assist key city departments.

Those expected to be on hand Wednesday include a group of volunteers, Mayor Richard Riordan, Chick and Councilman Mike Feuer. Representatives from Farmers Insurance Group, which awarded the grant, are also expected.

“Thanks to our dedicated volunteers and generous gifts . . . Neighborhood Codewatch is an effective tool that clearly enhances our quality of life throughout Los Angeles,” said Chick, whose district includes a large portion of the West Valley.

The grant will be used for operations and volunteer training. It will not be used to cover administrative costs, said Karen Wagener, executive director of the city’s Volunteer Bureau.

The program won council and mayoral approval to become a citywide program in November. Since then, 78% of property owners notified of code violations through the program have voluntarily complied, according to statistics from the Mayor’s Volunteer Bureau. Notices of potential violations were sent to 805 properties from April 1 to June 30. Of those properties, 279 complied, saving the city $111,600 over what it would cost for the Department of Building and Safety to investigate, city officials said.

There are about 20 communities in the city that participate in the program, including 10 in the Valley--Encino, North Hollywood, Panorama City, Reseda, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Van Nuys, West Hills, Winnetka and Woodland Hills.