The Brentwood police department may soon handle some code enforcement duties as City officials are seeking to ensure that conflicts of interest do not prevent community standards from being maintained. The shift in responsibilities will only apply in instances where property owners are City employees.
The policy shift comes after numerous complaints over a rental house, owned by a senior code enforcement official, have gone unaddressed. The neighbors describe the property as a nuisance due to code violations and other issues (such as domestic violence complaints).
If officials approve the new plan, code enforcement responsibilities for similarly disposed properties will become the responsibility of the police department, ensuring that a separation of powers is effectual.
Read the full story at The Contra Costa Times.