Placards Would Tag Nuisance Properties In Superior

It worked in Duluth - now it might help deter crime in Superior.  The city's Public Safety Commission is considering placards for so-called 'nuisance properties" - those that see a reoccurring situations that involve a visit by the Superior Police Department.  The motion for an ordinance change will go before the Superior City Council at their next meeting on November 4.

The cards would be attached to the building at the address in question for those that have seen three or more calls within a one year time period for the following offenses:

• Animal violations
• Arson
• Battery
• Disorderly conduct
• Drug-related offenses
• Gambling
• Harassment
• Lewd and lascivious behavior
• Prostitution
• Receiving stolen property
• Theft
• Trespassing
• Weapons violations

The card itself would tip off officers to the charges and their reoccuring nature in advance - in case they weren't aware of the situation.  At the same time, the placards would include contact information (i.e. property owners, landlords, etc) for those nuisance properties that are considered rentals; that sort of information can be time-consuming for officers to obtain - especially while trying to respond to a crime event that's in progress.

During a question period, one Superior City Councilor requested clarification about what happens when tenants move out or when situations change. The police responded that there is a process in place to "remove the placard once the problem is abated".

It's worth noting, too that not all rental properties would require the display of the placard (with ownership information and contacts).  The nuisance placards would only be displayed and required on those properties that were seeing the short of police calls - and the volume.