Busy year for investigations by Welland bylaw officers

It’s been a busy year so far for the City of Welland’s bylaw enforcement division, with 1,084 investigations conducted on public and private properties between January and October.

A release from the city said its bylaw enforcement officers addressed about 225 phone calls each month and provided Welland residents with a variety of services related to compliance with clean yards, graffiti, property standards and zoning.

“The city’s bylaw team works on a reactive, complaint- driven, basis. Bylaw officers investigate and enforce compliance with private and public property to ensure a level of public safety and neighbourhood integrity,” the release said.

Although the division rarely receives noise complaints, Niagara Regional Police have responded to 493 noise complaints in the city between January and early November.

“Noise complaints responded to range from a barking dog to a loud stereo or vehicle, and also included large residential parties,” said NRP Insp. Shawn Dowd.

“Penalties can range from a verbal warning, issuance of a bylaw offence notice, and in extreme cases can escalate to a criminal charge. In most cases, a verbal warning in the first instance will resolve the situation.”

In addition to investigations, the city’s bylaw division is also responsible for administering and issuing swimming pool enclosure permits, which ensure safety standards are met.

“So far this year, bylaw officers have issued 59 enclosure permits.”

Ali Khan, supervisor of traffic, parking and bylaw enforcement, said the parking and bylaw division has improved customer service delivery and will continue to develop best practices.

“Staff had a busy year with parking enforcement and addressing bylaw complaints that were officially filed with the city. Although we have a small division, consisting of three bylaw officers and four parking officers, we work efficiently and fairly with the public,” Khan said in the release.

So far this year, parking officers have issued about 8,600 penalty notices.