A Chatham-Kent councillor believes time and money can be saved by penalizing those who repeatedly breach the property standards bylaw.
Councillor Derek Robertson sits on CK's Property Standards Committee and, after some investigating, has noticed a few properties that bylaw officers visit more and more often. Robertson says it's a waste of time for these officers to constantly reprimand these consistent violators who don't upkeep their homes.
"We do have scarce resources as it relates to our bylaw enforcement officers," he says. "To utilize those resources over and over again on the same properties is frankly a complete waste."
Robertson adds imposing penalties such as fines on these repeat offenders will help cover the costs of enforcement operations, and deter these violators from breaking the law again.
"If we have no steep penalties along the way, there's no reason to not reoffend. I know when I'm driving on the highway, give me a $300 ticket, and I might take my foot off the gas next time."
Staff will consider how the property standards bylaw could change, and come back with recommendations at a later council meeting.