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Enforcement & Response to Complaints

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At a minimum, why aren't law enforcement officers courteous to citizens
who call to report a neighborhood problem? Why aren't they even
knowledgeable about how to deal with neighborhood complaints?

The EBRP police system is one of the top rated in the nation, but even
our police are human. The police of EBRP must handle a heavy workload
and often times must prioritize problems of an urgent nature above those
that might not be life threatening or that don't need immediate
attention. If you ever experience any problems with an officer being
discourteous towards you, please report them by calling the BRPD at
389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

Once I make a complaint call on a rental property in violation, what
kind of follow-up and time frame should I expect, so I do not continue
to call?

The complaint is investigated within a week. If a violation is found, a
certified letter is sent within a week by inspections. It gives the
property owner 30 days from receipt to correct the violation. The
property is then reinspected and referred to the Parish Attorney's
office if the violation persists. The Parish Attorney sends a certified
demand letter ordering compliance within 10 days at which point the
property is inspected once again and suit filed if necessary. The matter
is then assigned for court within two to six weeks.

My complaints come at about 3 a.m. I have called the police twice. Slow
response by police and lack of resolving the problem is my complaint.

The police must prioritize what calls they respond to. For example, a
burglary is something they would respond to before a complaint about
loud music. If the officer in question failed to act in a manner you
find satisfactory, call the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

How can we speed up the process of evicting violators of the laws?

By aiding the enforcement agents in gathering evidence, such as
photographs or other records of violations. This evidence helps the
Parish Attorney and the Permit and Inspections Division of the
Department of Public Works make their case against the violators. An
increase of staff at these departments would also aid in speeding up the
process.

Why can't the penalty be enhanced for zoning violations? A $500 penalty
is not enough to deter the problem.

City ordinances all have set penalties for violations when categorized
as misdemeanors or other lower crimes. A higher fine would require
re-classification to a felony, which would require action by the
legislature.

How do we go about getting regular police patrols in our
neighborhood-especially on weekend nights?

Neighborhoods can request patrols or hire off-duty police officers to
patrol their neighborhoods. For more information on how to do so,
contact the BRPD at 389-2000 or the EBRSO at 389-5000.

How can homeowners in a neighborhood bring action without hiring an
attorney to see that the laws are enforced?

By reporting violations to the Permit and Inspections Division of the
Department of Public Works at 389-8680, the BRPD at 389-2000, or the
EBRSO at 389-5000. The Federation of Civic Associations of Greater Baton
Rouge has an attorney that they use for prosecuting offenders of city
ordinances in neighborhoods. If you are interested in finding out if the
Federation will aid you by allowing you to use their attorney, contact
John Radford at johnjanr@intersurf.com <mailto:johnjanr@intersurf.com>.