Minnesota Public Radio featured today a podcast on neighborhood conflict that may be of interest to city attorneys, staff and officials - who often find themselves in the middle of such conflicts.
The podcast notes that neighborhood conflicts can be draining to city resources, by generating frequent police service calls and demanding city staff attention (building inspection services, zoning services, attorney services, etc). A few callers into the show noted success they had in contacting their city for assistance (for example the St. Paul problem properties unit).
It is important to note that many of the conflicts discussed seem to erupt over issues commonly regulated by city ordinance - for example encroaching fences, barking dogs, curfew issues, etc. This is often how the city gets drawn into the conflict. I found it interesting, however, that none of the conflict experts featured in the podcast saw city involvement as solution to the conflict. It was considered more a symptom of a deeper underlying problem.
City staff and officials may be interested in hearing the expert suggestions for conflict resolution resources for neighbors - potentially available though non-profits at low cost. These may be resources that the city can direct residents to when neighbors appear at city hall with grievances. These resources could supplement traditional city code enforcement efforts. While potentially non-traditional, utilizing these resources may equally benefit cities and residents by reducing conflict and the need for city enforcement services.
Here is a link to the Minnesota Public Radio podcast:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/28/midmorning1/
The podcast notes that neighborhood conflicts can be draining to city resources, by generating frequent police service calls and demanding city staff attention (building inspection services, zoning services, attorney services, etc). A few callers into the show noted success they had in contacting their city for assistance (for example the St. Paul problem properties unit).
It is important to note that many of the conflicts discussed seem to erupt over issues commonly regulated by city ordinance - for example encroaching fences, barking dogs, curfew issues, etc. This is often how the city gets drawn into the conflict. I found it interesting, however, that none of the conflict experts featured in the podcast saw city involvement as solution to the conflict. It was considered more a symptom of a deeper underlying problem.
City staff and officials may be interested in hearing the expert suggestions for conflict resolution resources for neighbors - potentially available though non-profits at low cost. These may be resources that the city can direct residents to when neighbors appear at city hall with grievances. These resources could supplement traditional city code enforcement efforts. While potentially non-traditional, utilizing these resources may equally benefit cities and residents by reducing conflict and the need for city enforcement services.
Here is a link to the Minnesota Public Radio podcast:
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2010/07/28/midmorning1/
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