Criminal prosecution of an International Falls property owner in violation of the city’s blight ordinances has resulted in a continuance for one year.
The action marks the first time that a property owner has been criminally prosecuted for blight violations, according to city Attorney Steve Shermoen.
“Hopefully this sends a real signal to the rest of the community,” he said. “When people get notices (for blight violations) and city staff discuss these issues with them, if they don’t follow through there are repercussions.”
Blight violations can include unlicensed junk vehicles, dilapidated structures, and objects in disrepair in the yard.
The blight violations that led the city to bring the case to the courts have been corrected, Shermoen said. Those issues included multiple trailers and equipment in disrepair, dilapidated structures and other unsightly objects in disrepair in the yard, said Jerry Jensen, who is involved with city Building Inspector Kelly Meyers in enforcement of the city’s blight ordinances.
And, should they remain corrected for one year, the complaint against the property owner will be dismissed. The violator will pay $400 for the city’s prosecution costs, according to Shermoen.
Shermoen declined to name the property owner because he said the issue has been resolved. At one point in the process, an arrest warrant was issued. “We got their attention,” he said.
Shermoen said city officials felt they had no other recourse than to take the issue to the courts to resolve the blight violations.
The city has followed its notification process that most often gets property owners to correct the violations.
He said the property had been the focus of frequent complaints and concerns by neighbors.
The criminal prosecution by the city “will give a boost to a program that is already successful. This will help that and set precedent,” said Shermoen.
