CNBNews

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Gloucester City Police Chief George Berglund and Housing Inspector Joe Stecklair about the questionable ticketing of preselected property owners and/or residents. A total of 54 properties were selected for tickets.

Ordinance 73-15 addresses the issue of snow removal from sidewalks. The ordinance says “It is the duty of the police officers of Gloucester City, to make complaint against any person or persons who violate73-15 of this ordinance”.

Chief Berglund acknowledged that he did not assign any police officers to perform the required duty of the ordinance nor did he know how the time was established to start the count down for the violation.

Chief Housing Inspector Stecklair acknowledged that he volunteered his services to “Be the Eyes and Ears of the Police Department”.

It was his position that “something needed to be done to ensure safe passage of children to school”.

Stecklair then assigned Inspector Wagner to police the King St, Market St, Monmouth St, and Broadway corridors. When asked why Wagner listed nine owners not part of his instruction, he speculated that they may have been phoned in by complaining neighbors and Wagner added them to the list being forwarded to the police department.

When asked why such a small group of properties were selected instead of citing all properties city wide Mr. Stecklair said “it is like catching speeders, you can’t catch them all”.

I feel the properties weren’t going anywhere and could have been covered city wide.

The ordinance allows twelve hours to comply. Stecklair feels this is more than adequate time to comply. Berglund felt 24 hours  may be more appropriate. All parties agree the ordinance needs to be rewritten.

I feel “No rule is so general that it is without exception” and the exceptions should be included in the ordinance.

Chief Berglund stated that letters have been sent out to administratively dismiss the tickets. The letter finds you guilty and warns all recipients that any future violation will be fully prosecuted and shall not be dismissed.

So the indication is that even if you would have been able to prove wrongful citation or prejudicial selection you are still guilty and lose the opportunity to have a future offense dismissed that will be afforded to others not preselected by Inspectors Stecklair and Wagner.

One question that comes to mind is what happened to “fair and equal treatment under the law”?

My letter is not intended to be the position of our public servants. It is therefore suggested that the city post the ordinance in question on its web site and that any/all named individuals post clarifications to my letter if they differ with any of the foregoing content. It will certainly improve communication between the city administration and the taxpayers.

signed A ClearysNoteBook (CNB) Reader

CNB Note: More details on this topic will be forthcoming in Monday’s Tips and Snippets column.