City Code enforcement wrote on Jul 3, 2008 5:55 PM:does absolutely nothing.

Never any guest parking, which indicates people living there who are not on the lease.

Just ignore the residents, eventually they will get fed up and move, and you can fill the space with someone who doesn't care and won't make waves.

It is called common sense. It is called treating your neighbor as you would like to be treated.

It is called fulfilling obligations, both as tenants and company owners.

I hope they get the management they deserve, and they clean the place up.

Water rises to it's level, and so does filth if those who create it are tolerated.

This is unacceptable.

MJ wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:01 PM:So, this low income housing complex is less than a year old?!!! And the carpets are messed up, appliances broken, etc., etc ..... yet another example of the failure of the welfare state. Kept people act like dogs.

Robert wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:06 PM:OK, I'll start; What did you expect from low income housing?! Donald Trump and J-Lo ain't moving in anytime soon! It's too bad about all of the graffiti and such, but unfortunately that is what you get when you cater to the lower class. Most (not all) of them just don't care about taking care of anything, be it their's or somebody else's. Very sad....

Jim wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:30 PM:Just goes to prove, those that do not have respect for themselves will surely not have any to give to others.
Living like a bunch of filthy animals, oh wait animals live in cleaner dens then these people.
I do feel sorry for the people who try to keep the place clean only to have others disregard all that is on the lease and have everyone they know move in with them.
Time for the owners to step up and start kicking out those that do not belong there.

Low Income wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:35 PM:Low Income DOES NOT equal low class.

Unfortunately, there are a few rotten apples who seem hell bent on making the stereotype of low income housing a reality.

Management won't do anything for fear of lawsuits if someone is mistakenly accused of such behavior and is a "minority."

I would say 10 percent of low income housing individuals act like rabid baboons. I wish management would deal with the ten percent. I wish code enforcement would do it's job, and evict for occupancy violations. That alone would clean up most of the issues that arise from the ten percent who insist on acting in an anti-social manner.

Lisa wrote on Jul 3, 2008 6:40 PM:Now that "our" attention has been brought to this circumstance, it is the perfect opportunity to "nip it in the bud".

I sincerely hope the new management team sees the value of this property and keep their word.

And I sincerely hope that residents of this property value it as much as they should. It is a blessing - some recognize it and others need a kick in the butt to recognize it. If you know your neighbor is being disrespectful, then report it to the new management team, code enforcement and also our city council. Keep written documentation of the events, the date and who you report it to.

Keep code enforcement and the city council involved. It will prove more effective.

Nip it in the bud, now.

And to the residents that respect the opportunity and value their residence, Thank You.

Good Luck and I hope that we will read one day soon, that Las Ventanas Village is doing very well.

To Lisa wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:02 PM:GREAT ideas.

Now back here on planet earth, if only those great ideas would be followed by code enforcement, most issues and problems would be resolved.

(I am not jabbing at you or what you said, I am jabbing at code enforcement and management companies... IF they would do the job we pay their salaries for, all would be well, or at least better. If not, fault THEM--- for it there you will find the missing catalyst which will take your complaints to actual resolution, and not just the appearance of it.)

Gary in Murrieta wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:48 PM:And this is what the state of California wants to force on Murrieta. No Thank You, We already know this is a bad idea.

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/news/californian/11_50_266_4_07.txt#blogcomments

Who Is At Fault wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:14 PM:"Vandelism and graffiti in the courtyard and elevators" in a secured complex only residents have access too!
New appliances broken after a few months. The residents need to have respect for what has been given to them! It's not outsiders who are repainting the elevators and spilling their sodas on the new carpet. Why blame the owners who spent millions of dollars to give these people a better
quality of life and the tax dollars spent that allow them to live at a place they could never afford on their own income. Maybe if the owners were not spending so much time and money repairing the brand new compex, they could open up the computer lab. And if they did, how long would the computers last before those were broken as well.
well. Life is alot about respect, and it sounds like these residents don't have it!!!!

To City Code enforcement of pm wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:21 PM:You can't blame the owners and it is not a code issue. It all boils down to the lack of respect of the residents
who live there. Everything was brand new when they moved in, now look at.
I don't feel sorry for them at all.

Ill Live There wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:25 PM:I'm not low income, but I've seen the place. Kick the low income out and let
the average wage earner move in. They would "repect" the place and take care of it

Uh..Shayna wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:30 PM:I know it's a tough neighborhood, but even down there trash goes into chutes, not 'shoots'.

Cheap Rent wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:34 PM:$502 dollars a month for rent! Find a nicer place for that cheap rent. They should not be complaining!!!!

Mix wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:42 PM:I thought California was getting away from having exclusive housing for low income. Low income housing doesn't work. This is a perfect example of what happens when you build low income housing. California needs to stick to mixed income apartments. No more building ghettos.

Low Income wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:51 PM:The more you give them, the more they will take.!!!!

just a taxpayer wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:53 PM:The management should be there to manage the property, NOT TO BABYSIT!!!

just Julie again wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:56 PM:Why bother putting retail shops in a low income houseing complex? Who's crazy idea was that??

Sorry wrote on Jul 3, 2008 8:57 PM:If the carpets look like a "kool aid" convention gone bad, is it really the owners fault to have to clean up after them all the time. Maybe the parents need to teach their kids some respect.
That might be possible, if the parents do'nt have any!!

To Ill Live There wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:14 PM:Here, here. What this area needs are "affordable" apartments, not low income housing. All one has to do is travel to the east coast ... NYC, DC, etc., to see what "public" housing brings about ... nothing but crime and perpetuation of the welfare class (several generations worth out there -- it becomes a way of life). Workfare, job training, counseling .... the carrot and stick approach -- that will allow the cream to rise and become self sustaining, and the dregs to go elsewhere for handouts.

Jaque wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:40 PM:If its a secured complex, can one assume that the renters or their visitors are guilty of the vandalism there?

As far as the internet connection, come on developers...everybody knows that the lack of wire is no excuse!

Car Dealer wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:46 PM:If I sell you a brand "NEW" car for less than I paid for it because you could not afford it, then you spill your drinks in it, carve up the seats and give it a spray can paint job, THEN you want a new one because you do'nt like it any more. I think NOT, thats not covered under the warranty!!

Maintenance Man wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:51 PM:Carving up and painting the elevator??
As a maintenance man, how am i suposed to fix or cover up that type of abuse?

Elevator wrote on Jul 3, 2008 9:53 PM:If resident Claudine Montes does not like the condition of the elevator her fellow residents destroyed, tell her to take the stairs!

Wayne wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:03 PM:I was a construction worker on this place for several months and when I found out these were apartments and not high end condos, I applied to live their but was denied because I had a job and my wife worked. I still live in Vista in a two bedroom apartment with my wife and two kids that is over 30 years old. It makes me sick to see how these people treat the place after all the hard work me and my crew put into Las Ventanas.

Tony wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:06 PM:You can blame the owners, if they don't supply a safe place for people to live. They need to install cameras and start prosecuting the ones that are doing the property damage. Their responsibility does not cease because all the apartments are rented out. That's what a lot of the problem is, the owners take the rent money without having a safe building and fulfilling their obligations.

Law wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:19 PM:It appears the scrutiny on the tenants background needs to be intensified.
No one should be allowed to rent a unit until a full background check is performed. Over time if the background checks prove ineffective in stopping vandalism, then as a condition of the lease a trip clause could be enacted starting monthly spot checks at each unit.
The good people won’t mind, but the troublemakers will certainly put up a stink if this needs to occur.
Then and only then will the low income people that deserve a break get the brake they deserve. The people that act like animal’s will be kicked out to wallow in their own pigsty.

Old Timer wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:48 PM:Time to strongly communicate with all the residents - if your kids get caught destroying property then out you go. Parents need to make sure their kids understand that they will be homeless if they continue to destroy property. You need to clean out the bad element for the sake of all the good people that live there.

Hey city code of PM AND who is at fault wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:56 PM:I disagree with you. It IS a code issue.

What more can a tenant do who resides in low income housing when the very organization which is put in place to enforce RULES (now there is a concept to chew on) refuses to do what needs to be done to enforce the city codes.

The residents who are complaining are not pulling complaints out of thin air, and they are not bitching to just to bitch.

Yes, the residents are the only ones who are SUPPOSED to have access to the complex. It is that small margin of tenants who disregards the rules (you know who they are--- their very Demeanor
betrays them), and move more people in than than is agreed upon on their lease, and in violation of occupancy codes.

It is those individuals, and the people they move in, who cause the trouble. They are the ones with lack of respect for themselves and others.

Stick a surveillance camera on every corner of the complex, catch those disrespectful people in the act, and evict them!! (I say this because the mantra of management is "We would do something if only we knew who was causing the damage.) Never mind the fact that it is quite obvious that more people are living in the complex than is allowed by both lease and occupancy codes. They know who is who for the most part--- it is fear of lawsuits which keep code enforcement and management from taking concrete action which results in real solutions.

Or maybe they just don't give a damn because they themselves don't live there, and the money rolls in regardless because of subsidized credits for the complex.

Am I just being cynical, or am I hitting the nail on the head?

perhaps we should have a cultural exchange between our police and the police from Singapore--- they cane people who commit vandalism and destruction of property. We are far too lax in this country in regards to punishing offenders.

Sorry To Hear It wrote on Jul 3, 2008 10:58 PM:For years I used to live in apartments and condos until I finally got into a single family dwelling. I feel for those of you who have lousy neighbors, graffitti artists, and the like. A big concern for me in buying a low income condo would be that the whole complex would become a mini ghetto about ten years out and my property values would reflect that fact and that nobody would want to give me what I have in it.

b wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:47 PM:In cases like this you generally have a few people causing problems while the majority of the residents try to live a decent life. What needs to happen is some vigilant residents need to keep track of the trouble-makers and report them to the proper people. Take pictures, write down license plate numbers, keep a log of everything you see; I do all of this and my low-income apartment complex stays nice and peaceful. My apartment manager and the police may get a little tired of my phone calls, but at the same time it forces them to keep their eyes open and remind the punks that they will not be tolerated. I wouldn't advise personal confrontation, though, because unfortunately many punks would rather hurt/kill you than show any respect for their environment. Remeber, folks, it's our own responsibility to watch out for ourselves. As far as the still-undelivered amenities, I'm sure a skillful attorney can get the ball rolling a bit quicker.

So Sad wrote on Jul 4, 2008 1:02 AM:You give them a brand new place to live, discounted rent, and what to they do? Tear it up! Then if to do not repair it fast enough, they call the press to complain about lousy living conditions...
WHAT A LACK OF RESPECT!!!!!

Helga wrote on Jul 4, 2008 3:44 AM:All that can be done in one week.

Johny On The Spot wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:52 AM:This is why I am against building these kind of subsidized warehousing for humans.

Millions of dollars are spent to give these low-lifes a great place to live and in ONE YEAR the place is trashed.

It just goes to prove that anything that is free is not worth anything. I know these apartments are not free but then they are "gifts" from the taxpayers to the lower income folks, who seem to have absolutely no respect for the millions of out tax dollars that we have bestowed upon them.

That is why I feel that these "human warehouses" are a total waste of money.

CaliGal wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:57 AM:I agree with those of you who have stated that the disrespect is the main problem. When I managed apartments, if someone was causing trouble, I gave them a verbal warning. The next time was a written warning, and if they still continued to cause problems, they got evicited. Period. That needs to be the case here. I'm not saying that ALL low income peope are lowlife, but there are those who want nothing more than a handout and they don't respect the hand that feeds them and provides them with a place to live and pays their monthly income via welfare, which comes straight out of the working class' taxes. I say ENOUGH! Tougher laws need to be implemented. Tenants found to be disruptive, unruly, and disrespected need to be evicted. It sends a negative message when a low income apartment complex needs security-get rid of the 'trash' and the security problem will resolve itself.

A natural disaster wrote on Jul 4, 2008 7:01 AM:These projects always turn into messes. Around the country many of them have been torn-down. The tenents are getting something for nothing and expect to do nothing in return. Their friends and associates are typically trouble. No one should want this type of facility in their community and yet Escondido seeks out these sorts of projects. You will note that Escondido Blvd. is filling-up with this sort of disaster. This is in addition to the thrift and liquor stores. Most folks new to the area think the name of the street is BWL Blvd. (Bear, Wine and Liquor) This type of housing is a natural for BWL Blvd.

Shame FOR SHAME wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:19 AM:It isn't a matter of enforcing codes, it isn't a matter of property management either, it is a matter of people not being the best they can, respecting what they have and treating the place they live as a home that they are proud to be in. Charity begins at home, these were built at taxpayer expense and are obviously not being appreciated. In tough economic times, examples like this serve to make giving to those who are less fortunate less likely to happen. When you don't value what has been given to you or what you have, when you don't appreciate something enough to take care of it, you are less likely to get more. This is an example of people who don't care, don't take care and then complain that the conditions are what they made of it! Stop complaining! Get busy, clean up your own messes and show the taxpayers that you appreciate having a nice roof over your head.

Surprised wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:24 AM:Why? It is apparent the residents don't care about cleanliness. It is them who spill on the carpets and don't clean it up. It is them that won't turn taggers in. It is them that won't clean up after themselves. They figure maid service comes with eveything else they have been given. The city gave you a place to live at a cheap price. The county probably gives you food stamps and medical. Take some pride in yourselves and family. Take care of what has been given to you. It's not managements fault when you can't do that.

Shameful wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:27 AM:No computer hook-ups and no play ground until the residents show the ability to take care of their home! Why give them more when they aren't taking care of what they already have! I agree, for shame, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior and you have all shown that you neither appreciate, take care of or care about what you have so why should you be given more? Stop complaining about what you did to make the complex a mess and start taking care of it!

Escondeeter wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:41 AM:Before we get too far into trashing our city or our city's Council over this project, let's remember that the State of California requires that every community make land available for this kind of housing. Escondido's Council has been very careful to keep the 'low income' portion of the mandated housing at a minimum, and has focussed its efforts on the 'moderate income' portion. This is an object lesson in support of that policy.

RESIDENT AT TISK wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:04 AM:Las Ventenas: The windows in english -provides a clear view of the low income lifestyle. If you gave them a million bucks they would squander it then complain about the bag the money came in.

Code Enforcement is powerless. They need a warrant to enforce anything. They are denied entry and can't establish probable cause to get warrants...

youre way off... wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:12 AM:when you say "these people" have no respect or imply they are somewhow different than "other" people. First, most of "these people" are children...about 2/3's of them in fact. Usually one of those children is below the age of 6. So where exactly should children of 6 go live when they have few or no resources? Is this a nation where we allow children to live on street corners? Come on, no one wants that. We Americans look down on Mexico (Tijuana at least) for sanctioning that.

Secondly, what the hell makes you think that "these people" are any different than you or I? They are typically women who for one reason (abusive partners) or another (few job skills) are down on their luck. Be thankful that you are more fortunate than they. No one wants to live on welfare forever. Very very few people are on assistance professionally-contrary to what stingy conservatives would have you believe. Quit playing on the "welfare queen" myth,its was debunked before Ronald Reagan used the same falsehood to try and quash welfare in the 80's.

Third, over and over in the posts comes up the word "work". What do you think low-income people do? When congress tampered with the welfare system in the 1990's, they made sure that recipients of aid had to work. The problem is that the jobs they do are menial, hard, and don't pay well. In other words, they do work and work hard at crappy jobs most of us are lucky enough not to have to do. Even those who get a temporary waiver from the employment requirement attached to welfare end up doing the most laborsome and thankless job of all--childcare for their own and other people's children.

fourth, The idea that welfare recipients are having more kids to get more money is laughable. Its comical that people actually buy into that falsehood. You don't get more welfare money if you have more kids...the changes in 1990's made that unlikely circumstance impossible.

What this boils down to is that many better-off Americans resent the notion that they give somebody something for "nothing". It grates against our religious-social heritage because its considered charity. We have made up all these stereotypes about welfare recipients which make them look bad and us feel good. Most of us aren't that far away from needing goverment assistance, lose a job, get sick, economic downturn...it could happen. Let's hope that things get better for the children and other people on welfare.

chatter wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:27 AM:when it came to renting to the peapole they did, the credit check should of included that happen were they lived before.plus turned the info of what they did over to the state ,so they would be declined for further housing of state help. these is how managment does there job.

Dago wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:39 AM:This place, as well as other projects like this will have about a 10-year lifespan before they all turn into frick'n coackroach pits. You'll never achieve neighborhood cohesiveness in brand new housing tracts until you change the behavior of the low-lifes you rent them to. Just wait until a banger shooting/stabbing occurs at one of these places. They're all located right smack-dab in banger-ville, Esconghetto!!

Johny On The Spot wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:48 AM:To: you're way off...

"First, most of "these people" are children...about 2/3's of them in fact."

And it is shown over and over again that welfare children become welfare parents themselves. Putting them in a "breeding grounds" situation where all their peers and neighbors are also "welfare queens" is not going to break the cycle.

"what the hell makes you think that "these people" are any different than you or I?"

Because "most" people reading this DO NOT take public welfare, Medicale and low income housing. And also, welfare queens are not a myth. If you lived in one of these tenement projects you would learn that many of these folks have been in this situation their whole lives. The percentage of the public who get off the dole before the are "kicked off it" is not as large as you would like it to be.

"the jobs they do are menial, hard, and don't pay well"

These people have these jobs because they are under-educated and unskilled. Therefore, the money being spent on these multi-million dollar housing projects would be better spent schooling and educating these people with job skills that will qualify them for more than a job at MickeyD's.

"welfare recipients are having more kids to get more money is laughable"

This is probably the only statement you made that holds water. IMHO

Dago wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:56 AM:We moved the hell out of Esconghetto 5 years ago when we could clearly see the writing on the wall. I guess you can also take that in a literal sense when you consider all the graffiti that the Latino gangs continue to deface public and private property with. I mean nothing's sacred....not even the gas pump acrylic LED display screen. The[y] even take sharp objects and physically awl or scratch their gang tag on the screen! That takes a hell of a lot of effort and nerve.

What's really disgusting is that the City of Esconghetto tries desperately to partner with developers to try and help out the low income sector, but there are no controls or oversight in place that gives them the teeth to evict and punish abusers and offenders. History will prove time and time again that trouble ALWAYS brews when you try to do something for uneducated, low-income unsophisticates. You have to rid the neighborhood of this element before projects like this will succeed.

Broken Appliances wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:02 AM:Give them a break on the appliances. Most affordable appliances even Name Brands are now made in China with inferior quality materials. My new stove is a new piece of junk and it has nothing to do with low-income just low quality. They need security cameras and monitoring in the halls and elevators. Catch the trouble makers and the problem will be solved. We have cameras and haven't had any trouble since we caught people entering the area at 1:30am. Just been seen before they could do anything has put a stop to the trouble in our neighborhood.

Move to the hillsides wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:13 AM:I live overlooking Escondido in the county. My immediate neighbor has a junkyard around his house, and a house trailer, a 10 by 40 sitting next to his home to accommodate his low functioning forty something son and his druggie friends. We have no idea if their property is up to code. Methinks not. So the problem is pretty wide spread. County officials, do a spot check on all homes in the county to see if you can clean it up and/or are missing out on tax dollars.

Code Enforcer wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:56 AM:As a Code Enforcement Officer in California I understand how people can get frustrated in these situations.

However, what people have to realize is that Code does not have total authority over all things.

Code Enforcement in general is in charge of enforcing codes. In this situation it would possibly be the Housing and Property Maintenance Codes. Property Maintenance would attend to the graffiti and trash build up while the Housing Code would attend to any substandard housing or safety concerns. However, if no complaints are filed and no visible property maint. violations are seen they are difficult to enforce. Specifically when enforcing housing.

My suggestion is to file complaints with Escondido Code Enforcement if you think there are code violations. However, be prepared to be told that some of these problems are civil issues between the residents and property management. (Stained floors, development promises, etc.)

Finally, it is true that if the Code Officer cannot see the violation they cannot form probable cause. Witness tesitimony can be P.C. in some cases but more often then not the complainant wants to remain silent and thus cannot be presented as evidence.

I hope this helps. And remember, if you don't file a complaint then you can't complain! Good luck!

Police themselves wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:36 PM:The best way to combat this vandalism is for the residents living there to set up their own neighborhood watch system. If the police are called enough times and management alerted enough times, then the vandals will move on to easier targets. Don't sit around waiting for others to help you. Take back your community.

Dear Code Enforcer wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:51 PM:No, your comments DO NOT help.

You say the Housing Code "...would attend to any substandard housing or safety concerns." That is all fine and dandy if you would actually do this, but you guys don't!!! Occupancy standards are in effect, yet they are not enforced. If more people are living in an apartment than what it is zoned for, than that creates an unsafe living environment. (Not to mention being in violation of fire codes.)

You said:" "My suggestion is to file complaints with Escondido Code Enforcement if you think there are code violations. However, be prepared to be told that some of these problems are civil issues between the residents and property management. (Stained floors, development promises, etc.)"

TRANSLATION: Be prepared to feel like a ping-pong ball being hit back and forth between the property management and the Code Enforcement office, as each party sends a resident back to the other with the mantra: "That is not within our authority/jurisdiction/responsibility."

Are you a Code Enforcement office, or just a Code Quoting office?

You also said: "Finally, it is true that if the Code Officer cannot see the violation they cannot form probable cause."

And if they never open their eyes they will never "see" anything, thus absolving the Code Enforcement office of responsibility of actually enforcing code violations. If they never visit the property in question they never "see" and thus probable cause can never be established.

Am I far from the truth of the matter? I don't think so, if you examine the end results of properties such as the one highlighted in this article.

I have news for you, "Code Enforcer", trash and debris IS a safety concern, (Ever hear of germs, insects or rodents?)

Furthermore, for the good people living in low income housing who are responsible and respectful, it is VERY condescending and insulting to them to speak with people from the Code Enforcement office and to have their complaints not taken seriously. You guys ask "What is your 'concern'?" They don't have CONCERNS, they have COMPLAINTS!!! There is a difference. Concerns are merely personal observations. Complaints are based upon violated Codes!!!

So no, your comment doesn't help anyone. But thank you for yanking the ping-pong balls, er, I mean the residents collective chain once again.

Two last things:

1: You said: "Code Enforcement in general is in charge of enforcing codes."

So why don't you guys-- IN GENERAL-- start enforcing them? Is it a matter of not knowing the codes, or skewing the definitions of the words that make up the codes so you don;t have to actually do any enforcing at all? I am of the persuasion that it is the latter rather than the former.

#2: You said: "...what people have to realize is that Code does not have total authority over all things.

It appears like you don't have ANY authority in anything.

prove the residents wrong.

After all, you are a public servant... nothing more. So serve the public, and enforce the damn codes already!!!!

You would enforce the codes if your mother lived in a place where code enforcement is not occurring. (Well... most of you would, anyway.)I have news for you--- SOMEBODIES mother lives there.

So serve the public already. Oh, wait,I apologize. You can't do that, for that would be logical. That would be the expected thing to occur. You'd much rather make a once a year visit to a property on the day after the property management/owners has a last minute top-to-bottom scrubbing of the property just so it can pass inspection-- then it is business as usual, eh?

It is 11 P.M., does your right hand know what your left hand is doing?

Maybe wrote on Jul 4, 2008 1:14 PM:the people living there have to start policing where they live....or maybe they need to stop their kids and all their relatives living with them from doing the damage. "Responsibility doesn't stop with CONCEPTION!"

An idea wrote on Jul 4, 2008 2:32 PM:Since this has come to light, how about a little community policing --- seems to me that if Esco PD assigned a community service officer to the premises, the bad behavior would drop big time. A place like this also needs a full time on site manager who spends part of the day just walking a beat. Just a guess, but I will bet there is a lot of substance abuse going on too. There are ways to deal with this -- and frankly part of it seems not like code enforcement, but law enforcement.

Sonny wrote on Jul 4, 2008 2:42 PM:We bailed out of Escondido a few years ago; the handwriting was clearly on the wall. After two violent muggings and a major home burglary, when I asked my wife whether she would consider moving back to the mid-Atlantic region, her only response was "What the h--- are we waiting for?" Fortunately we bailed before the real estate market collapsed, and were able to afford a beautiful home in a heavily treed development of brick colonial homes. Great neighbors, lush green parks, bass fishing nearby, beautiful autumns. Wake up Californians, there's a whole new world out there. Quit thinking that the world ends with the Nevada border.

whoa wrote on Jul 4, 2008 3:17 PM:sounds like "dear code enforcer" has some issues...possibly from a recent visit from their local code enforcement rep.hhmmm

Reardon wrote on Jul 4, 2008 3:52 PM:No neighborhood imports its problems -- every neighborhood RAISES its problems! If the residents are undereducated and unskilled, that is their own fault since all education K-12 is FREE! Only on-site management, code enforcement AND resident self-enforcement can help. It takes all three, working together. While the sins of the father should not be visited upon the son, the sins of the son must be visited on the father. (Or mother. Kick them OUT!)

Low Income ... wrote on Jul 4, 2008 6:57 PM:housing should be furnished with vandal resistant fixtures, faux hardwood floors, vandal resistant camera systems in the corridors and entrances/exits to monitor who's coming and going, these people have no respect for whats being provided for them on the tax-payer dime, they didn't need to earn it themselves and there-fore feel no need to take care of what they have, if a unit suffers damage, the tenant should be held accountable, if they were, there'd be less damage, only tenants and their kids on the site, anybody caught letting others not on the lease should face auto-matic eviction notification, make the rules hard-core, then see how many problems you have, otherwise this is just going to spiral into another big city slum project in no time....

Scotty wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:03 PM:Have you ever noticed the National Park signs saying "Do not feed the..." Name your animal, from squirrel, deer, bison, bear and yes, even human. It takes away their will and ability to survive.

The welfare system is a system of handouts reducing peoples productiveness and turns this country more and more toward socialism. 150 years ago, people either did the work and prepared so they could survive, or they didn't. Have you ever seen people on food stamps. I see them in the grocery store eating better than me. Many times they are grossly obese.

I did not get what I payed for as a tax payer. I would like a refund for the past twenty years I have been paying taxes. No wonder California is broke. They gave all my money away. I would be willing to bet there are several Illegal immigrants there. Send the ICE agents in to start the cleaning. Then it will be easier for code enforcement.

Scotty

Che wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:34 PM:Hey "you're way off"
You sound like a godless communist that appreciates the redistribution of wealth. How many of these people have you moved in with you. I didn't think so. So because I probably earn more than you, I have to pay more for these social programs. I am done paying taxes so we can keep people on the dole.

"I love communism because having the freedom to choose sucks."

Larry wrote on Jul 4, 2008 8:35 PM:Many problems can be resolved by management, but you have to have people in place that are able, trained, and have an idea of how to talk with people to get everyone together on the same page to work together. Poor management inplace ends up with the problem that is going on with that complex, sounds like. Once everyone works together and learns that it is the power of numbers that can make change, and the ones that don't want to particapate will have to find other places to live that are of like minds. Here is a link to some folks that have also had problems, but are working together with city council, management, and even the private sector has stepped in trying to help seniors, fininically with a website. ...It takes time to make change, but if you don't try, it will never happen. Ask yourself, am I willing to help?

Dennis wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:30 PM:Make the place more secure, put cameras in the elevators and court yards, and change the name to english and see what happens.

bigandge wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:13 PM:to move to the hillsides:

what the heavens are you talkin' about?

Response Code Enforcer wrote on Jul 4, 2008 10:56 PM:I would like to respond. To your comments.

Occupancy standards are in effect, yet they are not enforced. If more people are living in an apartment than what it is zoned for, than that creates an unsafe living environment. (Not to mention being in violation of fire codes.)
**Previous Court rulings state that that occupancy law related to housing is not enforceable. To my knowledge no one in the state can regulate #'s of people living in a single family residence (Exception: Zoning violations such as dorms, boarding houses, etc.)***


TRANSLATION: Be prepared to feel like a ping-pong ball being hit back and forth between the property management and the Code Enforcement office, as each party sends a resident back to the other with the mantra: "That is not within our authority/jurisdiction/responsibility."
***Whether you like it or not Code Enforcement does not cover all landlord tenant issues. If it is not a Housing, Property Maint., Building or Safety issue then Code has no authority.***

And if they never open their eyes they will never "see" anything, thus absolving the Code Enforcement office of responsibility of actually enforcing code violations. If they never visit the property in question they never "see" and thus probable cause can never be established.
***Complaints need to be filed to know that there is a problem. I have been in the field for many years and time and time again I hear this kind of ranting. But when it comes to filing a complaint or contacting the public officials, nobody does it. I don't know if complaints have been filed on this because I don't work there. I can only hope they have.****


Furthermore, for the good people living in low income housing who are responsible and respectful, it is VERY condescending and insulting to them to speak with people from the Code Enforcement office and to have their complaints not taken seriously. You guys ask "What is your 'concern'?" They don't have CONCERNS, they have COMPLAINTS!!! There is a difference. Concerns are merely personal observations. Complaints are based upon violated Codes!!!
**Semantics**


So why don't you guys-- IN GENERAL-- start enforcing them? Is it a matter of not knowing the codes, or skewing the definitions of the words that make up the codes so you don;t have to actually do any enforcing at all? I am of the persuasion that it is the latter rather than the former.
***This is a broad statement. Are you one of those people who get caught speeding and complain about the 100 other people that didn't get stopped. I read the papers and follow the stats. I believe Esco. Code did 4K cases last year. You can't get everything!***

As for the rest. I don't think I have to justify a response. If you think you can do a Code Enforcement job I encourage you to try. You might be suprised what we have to go through everyday. I consider myself and my other fellow Officers statewide to be of the finest quality. I hope that you are able to take your negative energy and make positive actions with it.

MYMYMY wrote on Jul 4, 2008 11:47 PM:Oh opinionated ones maybe you should concentrate on the money we pay HUD and the Management Companies with their inept staff who also have their fingers in the affordable housing pie and do not seem to be able to stop the problems. Recently Filner's office was trying to clean up a mess in San Diego which had HUD right in the middle of the problem. Aim your insults in the right direction

Great comments Larry wrote on Jul 5, 2008 12:43 AM:The problem, however, is that most people avoid "confrontation" like the plague, so they do not report code violations.

How exactly do you "work together" with individuals who feel the rules do not apply to them?

Here are some ridiculous statements whose real life end-results actually occur:

"I only have three people allowed on my lease? Screw that! I am going to move in eight more people. Heck, I might even move in some people who are in the United States illegally."

"I am only allowed to have two parking spaces? Screw that! I am going to use up the guest parking with my other unauthorized vehicles, and I will encourage my eight unauthorized 'roommates' to do the same. Property management doesn't care, City Code Enforcement doesn't care--- so why should I?"

"I am not allowed to have a dog? Screw that! My Pit Bull comes with me."

"I am not allowed to play music as loud as I want, as though I were living in a house out in the boonies in Wyoming? Screw that! I will shake and rattle the walls with the music of my choice--- most notably either rap, hip hop or fusion, with the bass turned up so incredibly high it sounds like Jesus Himself is coming back through the clouds, splitting the earth in half. I vow never to play something melodic like Springsteen, Billy Joel or Chopin. Nope, that just won't do. I simply cannot fathom the concept of headphones, and because the world revolves around ME, I will play my music as loud as I want--- and you will listen to every damn note I have to play!" (In Adam Sandler voice.)

"I am not allowed to have my children play in the parking lots, thunder down the hallways, and ride anything that has wheels on the premises. I know this rule is in place for issues of safety and noise, and in theory I agree with that. But because I am narcissistic (though I don't know what that particular word means.... it has four syllables and twelve letters) everyday is now 'opposite day' for me and mine. After all, it's not my fault the single residents chose not to have children."

(Comment writer's personal note--- read into that what you will. The magical operative word here is 'irony'.)

"I am not allowed to destroy property, nor am I to allow my children or guests to destroy property. Therefore, I shall destroy anything and everything and assume no responsibility whatsoever. I shall encourage my children and guests to do likewise."

"I am not prevented from smoking. But because I don't give a rat's behind about anyone or anything else, I shall forsake and reject common courtesy, and smoke in the hallways and walkways of the premises, and scatter my used butts anywhere and everywhere except the trash bin. Don't worry, I will instruct all my guests to do likewise. The smoke helps cover up the stench of the hypocrisy of those property management and code enforcement offices who choose to ignore the rules themselves by failing to enforce them."

"I am not allowed to dump furniture into the trash bins. So as soon as I can, I will. King sized beds and sofas galore! Hip hip hooray!"

Larry, the aforementioned absurd statements are ACTUAL mindsets of certain individuals with whom you propose people who obey the rules "work together" with.

They might not think in exactly such absurd terms (and I was being absurd to illustrate a point), but their mindset is the same nevertheless. The outcome is definitely the same. The results are the same. The actions are the same.

"Working together" only works when working with people who obey the rules--- who feel that the rules apply to them.

But therein lies the dilemma: People who feel the rules apply to them FOLLOW them! There is no need---by virtue of agreed consent, common courtesy and common sense--- to "work together" to accomplish what is already being done!

It is precisely because of the small percentage of people who feel that the rules do not apply to them that we need code enforcement. Codes, just by themselves, only inform those who will follow them exactly what is expected of them. CODE ENFORCEMENT is only necessary for those who feel the rules do not apply to them. Yes, a redundant statement.... I know. But I also learned to look both ways before I cross the street when I was five.

What is the major malfunction of the individuals who feel that the rules do not apply to them? I don't know. And to tell you the truth, Larry, I don't want to know. If someone hasn't gotten it through their thick skulls by about age 18 that the rules apply to them as well, then chances are they never will. Only that's not my problem. But it becomes another person's problem when one resides in a "community" where a percentage of the individuals of that "community" feel the rules do not apply to them.

The ONLY solution is enforcement of the codes. And that will only occur when those charged with the duty of enforcing the codes actually do so.

That's my take on it, and as irrational as it might appear, I happen to feel it is factual.

I hope you had a great 4th of July!

Greg in Oceanside wrote on Jul 5, 2008 3:07 AM:Funny, here these people are given a chance in life, to live in a half-way decent place and they (or their kids) are screwing it up. It's time to install security cameras and once the culprits of any distructon are identified, remove them and their families. Then, press charges. If the family is on Sectoin 8, revoke their application. It's high time these 'low-income' folks are treated like the rest of us and held accountable for their actions and their kid's actions. Enough is enough.

Local wrote on Jul 5, 2008 3:44 AM:I've gone through the 'code' experience. Your first complaint is 'lost?' The second complaint is stamped but ignored. After that you research who needs votes and try that angle. Code enforcement in Escondido is very selective. The code department needs an enema.

Pig out of the Farm... wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:19 AM:You can take the pig out of the farm, but you can't take the farm out of the pig. Giving undeserving people freebies they don't deserve does not equate to generating respect. Respect is something one has or doesn't have regardless of economic position. I've walked through this once nice complex just to 'check out' the clientele. This place looks more like 'TJ' than Esco...but then again, Esco is 'TJ' w/the huge numbers of Mexican illegals, which by the way, Bill Flores and city council wanna be Olga Diaz support and believe deserve MORE of our hard earned tax dollars and LESS accountability to our various laws, including and especially our traffice, DMV laws. What dump this town in degenerating into!

Freddie wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:27 AM:When I drive by low income housing, I like to count the Mercedes. Take you're own survey, its an eye opener. I work to pay for it, how stupid could we be.

esco-resident wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:29 AM:If these kids were punished for what they do wrong it would definitely improve their surroundings. Not everyone is given the same silver spoon and white picket fence, but you need to improve yourself. Call it self respect, if you think you are deserving of something prove it, don't take it. Maybe what they should do is have the residents take turns on a night time watch, make it part of their "rent", and the they can catch the ones that are doing the graffitti.

susan wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:35 AM:It sounds like a full time job keeping up with the destruction some residents are causing. There are waiting lists for subsidized housing and I agree with a previous post. Install cameras in the hallways and any resident, including children causing damage should be given immediate notice to the whole family to move. Their rent is subsidized by our tax money.

Julio wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:50 AM:Why does anyone think someone else will do the job? Me and all my amigos are running around your country, illegally and no one is doing anything about it, except passing the buck. It's always easier to pass the buck to someone else, than to stand up and do it yourself.

While we tear down this country, piece by piece, community by community, your politicians don't care and I'm talking from the white house to city hall.

What you gringos don't understand is that you really are in control. You people who do the buying in the stores and gas stations and who vote these people into office. If you would stop playing party games and stand together, you could create a nice place to live.

To Sonny wrote on Jul 5, 2008 7:59 AM:Hey Sonny, if there is a whole new world out there, then why are you spending time reading the paper from Escondido?

Oh and Sonny, just to let you know, the "new" world east of Nevada isn't new. It's been there for the same amount of time California has been here.

If we could get all the tourists, like you, to go home and take one illegal with them, then California would once again be a nice place to live!!

RESIDENT AT RISK wrote on Jul 5, 2008 8:33 AM:Las Ventanas (The Windows) Clean to trash in six months. Ain't it a great culture.

Welcome to the third world, EscoJuana -becoming a barrio in a neighborhood near you.

Response to Code Enforcer Response wrote on Jul 5, 2008 9:31 AM:You stated:

"**Previous Court rulings state that that occupancy law related to housing is not enforceable. To my knowledge no one in the state can regulate #'s of people living in a single family residence (Exception: Zoning violations such as dorms, boarding houses, etc.)**"

What exactly are the "etc's"?

And how can a law be a law if it cannot be enforced? That is akin to wax fruit. It appears like you can eat it, but it is merely for show. Are occupancy laws also merely for show? What about code compliance offices?

Also, if no one in the state can regulate the number of people living in a single family residence, then why does EVERY standard lease state the occupancy limits, and also state that when a new member of the household is added property management must be notified in writing?

Why bother having background checks initially on the lease agreement if ANYONE (and any number) can move in after it is signed with no background checks?

So why are there occupancy codes to begin with if they cannot be enforced--- or "regulated" if you really want to play semantics?

And if, as you stated, that "Previous Court rulings state that that occupancy law related to housing is not enforceable," then why even bother having a code enforcement office, filled with code enforcement officers who, according to you, have no authority to enforce the codes?

If all this is true, then you and all the other "....fellow Officers statewide" that you consider "....to be of the finest quality" are collecting paychecks for doing a job whose practical application denies you the authority to enforce the codes you and your fellow officers are supposed to be dedicated to uphold and enforce.

Doesn't this strike you as being a bit self-serving in nature? Seriously, why do you guys even have jobs that have as both a title and job description "Code Enforcement"? Why are your job positions even called as such when-- according to you--- you have no real authority?

The same taxpayers who don't like paying taxes just to see them go to waste when protects such as the complex described in this article deteriorate are the same taxpayers who don't like to see their taxes go to waste to pay salaries for "Officers" who don't have any authority to enforce anything. Sounds like you guys have a very good symbiotic relationship going on here.

It is like this scenario: You are a scientist, and you get a government grant for your research which not only pays for your research, but provides you with a comfortable income to boot. This grant is renewable indefinitely if your end-of-the-year report and results are "inconclusive," and require "further research." So what occurs? Your results are always "inconclusive," and thus your grants keep on rolling in year after year.

If there is a need for code enforcement, yet code enforcement is never actually implemented on a wide scale in the areas that matter most,I would say the "code enforcers" pretty much have a secure job until they retire.

You stated: "I hope that you are able to take your negative energy and make positive actions with it."

Thank you for your hope. But there wouldn't be any "negative energy" (as you label it)if Code Enforcement did their jobs.

Now you may be doing your job to the best of your ability, and that is great. But many other of your co-workers, in my opinion, are not.

Let me just ask you this: Are my observations coming out of thin air? Are the people who live in the complex this story reports on imagining the trash and debris? Is the situation of overcrowding above occupancy codes merely a mass delusion on the part of those individuals who have to live with the negative repercussions of such code violations? Are their complaints (or concerns, if you please) merely figments of their imagination? I think not, and I DO NOT think any reasonable, free-thinking individual would think so either.

Also, you said:

"***Whether you like it or not Code Enforcement does not cover all landlord tenant issues. If it is not a Housing, Property Maint., Building or Safety issue then Code has no authority.***"

And who exactly, pray tell, is the person or office that makes the final call on such decisions and/or definitions? Who decides what is and isn't a Housing, Property Maintenance, Building or Safety issue? (It is pretty convenient--- in my opinion--- for code enforcement officers to be able to choose the definitions which suit them as to what is covered or not. Is the public just supposed to take your word for it?)

I don't think many people would want your job. Not because it is as difficult as you are describing it to be, but because they would not wish to bear the burden of having to lose themselves by having to become officious.

It is like a line from that old "Harold and Maude" movie, where Ruth Gordon's character says to a police officer "Don't be officious. You're not yourself when you're officious. That's the curse of a government job."

By the way, I think the reason so many do not file reports is because they feel a sense of fatalism in regards to what code compliance can do. According to you, you can't do anything about overcrowding--- even though there are codes against it; so why bother reporting it? Make sense?

Also, people are fearful of being shot dead by gang-banging people (and I use that term loosely) who wouldn't think twice about killing someone for simply reporting them for code violations.

I truly believe overcrowding is the underlying cause of all the other problems this story touches upon. Deal with the underlying issue, and the other issues will more than likely resolve themselves. BUT, according to you:

"Previous Court rulings state that that occupancy law related to housing is not enforceable. To my knowledge no one in the state can regulate #'s of people living in a single family residence (Exception: Zoning violations such as dorms, boarding houses, etc.)"

So exactly why are you considered a "code enforcer" when you can't enforce the codes?

Really, I am not trying to pick on you. I have no beef..... I am just genuinely curious.

I would surmise that your hands are tied by those higher up than you. In which case, I sympathize. You are just following orders. But if that is the case, don't come back at people like me who are asking honest questions and about real issues, and are being forthright in discussing those issues without being officious themselves, and then label them as being negative by saying: "I hope that you are able to take your negative energy and make positive actions with it."

The only "negative energy" most people are feeling regarding this story and situation is the pass-the-buck mentality and answers a "code enforcer" such as yourself injects into the discussion/debate going on on this comment board.

As Elvis sung: "Walk a mile in my shoes/ Before you abuse, criticize and accuse"

Now if I have been untactful in how I have relayed my feelings on this issue, I sincerely apologize. But do not allow the all-too-human mistake of moments of untactful words to detract you from the issues/concerns/complaints themselves. They are real, and they are--- in far too many cases--- remaining unchanged for the better.

escomom wrote on Jul 5, 2008 10:00 AM:what it boils down to is, no matter what color you are, how much or how little money you make, or where you live, one can still be clean and have respect for where you live, why do people always think it somebody elses job to clean up their mess? get a life.

hardtack wrote on Jul 5, 2008 10:55 AM:“How can you come to know others? Never by thinking; always by observing. See how they perform obligations and responsibilities, and you'll know right away what they amount to.” . . . Goethe [paraphrased]. . .

Take it back wrote on Jul 5, 2008 11:07 AM:If the code enforcers don't do it, if the cops won't do it, if the city officials turn a blind eye, if the property management folks only care about the money coming in, maybe the good law abiding, pride of ownership people should start patrolling their own areas and probably take matters into their own hands. Sitting back and watching, wringing your hands in despair, obviously doesn't get it done. No violence, just strength in numbers.Organize! The thugs are the minority. Send a message to these thugs , I'm mad as hell and not going to take it anymore. This country is going in the crapper at light speed. Lets take it back. Now.

Concerned One wrote on Jul 5, 2008 11:29 AM:I'd like the buffoons in o