News Articles of Interest

Keeping Arizona Beautiful...

Home Page Bulletin Board Employment CELA Academy CELA Library Links News Articles Planet Friendly Search Members Training Information

check mark 2009 Conference of Mayors Report
CELA Connection Newsletter
National Survey of Cities/Counties Code Enforcement Statistics

Long Beach alderman wants full time code enforcement officer
A Long Beach alderman says it's not fair that people who rebuilt their homes after Katrina are living next to constant reminders of hurricane devastation.

Glynn grand jury urges code enforcement changes after fatal shooting
Glynn County code enforcement officers did not pull the trigger, but a county grand jury says protocol and officers' lack of training contributed to the confrontation that ended when police fatally shot Marty Reagin last year.

Time Management Safety Tips
Planning and using your time well can save you stress and aggravation and keep you safe.

EBB Code project aimed at backyard blight
A code compliance program directed toward eliminating urban backyard blight has been announced by Youngtown Marshal Dan Connelly and Code Enforcement Officer Lora Isaacs.

Neighborhood eyesore can hurt chances of selling
A house with no curb appeal can affect the sale of homes around it. Experts advise sellers to work with neighbors to clean up unsightly properties, and even offer to do it themselves.

By popular demand.... a few more really great home repairs!
• Great home repairs (ppt)

Nominees are:

10)

11)

And the winner is....

• AACE February 2010 Newsletter

Safeguard Properties, in conjunction with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) and its lender/servicer members, have collaborated on the MBA Vacant Property Registration (VPR) MERS initiative. Its purpose is to address the increasing number of vacant property ordinances being enacted throughout the country as a result of the foreclosure crisis and how they are impacting local communities. Attempts by the servicing industry to comply with the multitude of ordinances resulted in extreme logistical difficulties. Several initiatives were developed by MBA VPR Committee, none more prominent than the "MERS Initiative". The following provides some high level points concerning the initiative:

• Enhancement of the current MERS system to provide direct points of contacts for the actual servicer (as opposed to title holder which may be a Trustee) and field service provider (property preservation company).
• Provision of a cost effective option to the servicer to provide an incentive to ensure all their properties are populated within the MERS system
• No cost access and training to municipalities

The MERS Initiative is currently being piloted in 5 cities (Chula Vista, CA, Boston MA, St Paul MN, Stockton, CA and Sacramento CA). Several cities have stated that they intend to include the MERS initiative in any Vacant Property Registration ordinances they draft by allowing for an "exemption" for any property included on the enhanced MERS system.

**Please note: The MBA VPR Committee understands the need for a vacant property registration ordinance to address non-foreclosure related vacancies etc. and have agreed that any loan (property) not on the MERS system should be bound by the "hard-copy" registration requirements

About Safeguard:

Safeguard Properties is a national property preservation and mortgage field services company ultimately responsible for maintaining the integrity of vacant properties for our clients. Safeguard acts as the “eyes and ears” for these clients that include banks, mortgage servicing companies, and other entities nationwide. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that our client’s vacant properties are secured in order to prevent damage, injury or code violations that may result if a property is not being maintained. Safeguard provides the following services to its clients:

• Monthly property inspections to verify occupancy status
• Securing of the property once it is identified as vacant
• Clearing of exterior debris that may cause a city citation
• Maintenance of the exterior condition of the property, including cutting the grass on a regular basis

Safeguard has developed strong partnerships with code enforcement officials throughout the country to address properties with code violations. When code compliance issues arise in these jurisdictions, code enforcement officials contact Safeguard directly. If the lender with an interest in the property is a Safeguard client, we will immediately secure the property, remove debris/health hazards, complete a grass cut, and/or report and repair damages. If the lender is not a Safeguard client, we will make every effort to help the city establish contact with the lender to resolve the problem situation. We fully understand the value of open communication between the proper entities. This is clearly the primary factor is resolving any issues.

Safeguard has made presentations at national Code Enforcement conferences including the 2008 AACE Conference along with several regional conferences, training seminars and workshops.

Safeguard would like to establish contact with City & County Code Enforcement Departments to initiate a cooperative effort to protect the community and its citizens from the nuisances and dangers associated with vacant and abandoned properties. Municipalities will not incur a fee of any kind for working with Safeguard to address code compliance issues in their area. It is Safeguard’s responsibility to ensure our client’s properties are free of debris, secure, and adequately maintained in accordance with local rule and we rely on your assistance to ensure success. We are looking forward to building a proactive working relationship with contacts in Code Enforcement and Department of Buildings.

Safeguard also routinely releases industry alerts with critical information about new programs, initiatives or other relevant news addressing city compliance issues. If you would like to review some Alerts issued previously, a list of recent releases can be found at All Client Alerts – Code Compliance link on the homepage of our web site.

Please call me at 800-852-8306, extension 1261 or email me at: code.enforcement.violations@safeguardproperties.com at your earliest convenience to discuss how Safeguard can most proactively partner with your department to achieve our common goals of keeping vacant properties secure and their surrounding neighborhoods safe. If it would be beneficial to forward this message to others in within your jurisdiction, please feel free to do so or forward those names to me and I will forward to their attention.

The National Solution for Jurisdictional Property Preservation Registry Requirements (ppt)