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Syracuse Councilor Khalid Bey said passage of the "disorderly house'' ordinance marked a rare moment of unity among councilors, administration officials and neighborhood groups.

(Tim Knauss | tknauss@syracuse.com)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The city council today unanimously passed a new "disorderly house'' ordinance, giving police wider authority to crack down on landlords and other property owners whose tenants cause repeated disturbances.

Under the new ordinance - an amendment to an 1848 measure designed to control brothels - police can label a house disorderly after an arrest has been made there and neighbors have called 911 at least three times in a month.

Property owners of disorderly houses have 30 days after receiving a notice to meet with police and devise a plan to fix the problems. Failure to comply subjects the owner to a fine of up to $150.

Councilor Khalid Bey, who initiated the measure, said it drew support from city police, neighborhood groups and his fellow councilors.

"I think it's a rare moment,'' Bey said, "I think this is a perfect example of how we can work together to get things done.''

Bey worked with police, city lawyers and other councilors to revise the ordinance after the original draft was criticized in October as open to abuse. Among other changes, the ordinance now excludes 911 calls that involve domestic violence from those that would earn the property a "disorderly house'' designation.

Bey, who represents the 4th council district on the south and east sides, said he proposed the new ordinance to give police wider latitude to target problem properties than they have under the existing nuisance abatement ordinance.

Under nuisance abatement, the city can go after a property owner only after three arrests have been made at the location. That sometimes prevents police from addressing problems at properties where they answer a lot of calls but make few arrests, Bey said.

Rich Puchalski, executive director of Syracuse United Neighbors, said he supported Bey's ordinance. Now he's waiting to see results. SUN organizers have criticized city officials for not utilizing the nuisance abatement ordinance more aggressively, he said.

"It's something,'' Puchalski said of the disorderly house ordinance. "I have big questions as to whether it will be used.''



Contact Tim Knauss at tknauss@syracuse.com or 315-470-3023 or on Twitter @TimKnauss.





01-08-2014 Disorderly Houses Amendment by tknauss