Fighting Blight

<span>CHESTER -- As part of the Police, Fire and Public Safety Committee meeting on Jan. 7, Chester Police Chief Ryan Coffey gave a presentation on derelict properties in the city.</span>

<span>Coffey highlighted five properties in his presentation, with ordinance violations ranging from garbage and debris to abandoned and inoperable vehicles and dangerous and unsafe structural issues.</span>

<span>"The people who live in these properties live a more transient lifestyle," said Coffey, who added that lifestyle tends to encourage crime.</span>

<span>The Chester Police Department is stepping up its winter enforcement of these issues, as they fall under the CPD's new Strategic Plan in regards to reducing crime and the perception of crime.</span>

<span>"The idea is to get some of the legwork associated with this out of the way during the slower winter months," Coffey said.</span>

<span>Coffey said the list of properties is not being released to the public in order to give property owners time to make corrections. If changes are not made, that list may be released to the media.</span>

<span>"We play around with these property owners differently," Coffey said. "Some will work with us, some won't."</span>

<span>Coffey added notices will be sent to property owners and stressed a goal of meeting them face-to-face. He also warned the city council members that they may be contacted by the property owners as well.</span>

<span>"We're not in the business of demolishing property," said Chester Alderman Ray Allison. "Something has to be done to these homeowners."</span>

<span>Chester Aldermen Robert Platt, Dan Geisen, Mike Blechle and Nancy Crossland also attended the presentation. Crossland spoke about wanting to go city-wide and take action on negligent property owners.</span>

<span>"There are a lot of municipalities that hold their own courts," Coffey said. "Chester is not one of them."</span>

<span>The CPD did release one address to the media, 130 W. Harrison Street. The owner of that property lives in St. Louis and the property is considered dangerous and unsafe.</span>

<span>It is also located adjacent to the City Steps.</span>

<span>"It hasn't been lived in since it was a former meth lab," Coffey said, adding the owner intended to make it a second home when he purchased it for $5,000.</span>

<span>Crossland said the property has been a problem in her ward for the past eight years.</span>

<span>"My concern is the City Steps go right by it and we've already had a concern with somebody being injured," Crossland said.</span>

<span>It was said during the meeting that previous attempts to take action on the property were thwarted in the belief that Popeye creator Elzie C. Segar resided in the home at one time.</span>

<span>"This council has to be behind Ryan to make sure what happens is not what has happened before," Crossland said.</span>

<span>Allison asked about Jim McFadden's residence on Valley Street, which was deemed a total loss after a house fire in November.</span>

<span>"(McFadden) has no insurance and no money to take it down," said Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert.</span>

<span>Coffey said the ultimate goal is to take action against property owners who fail to maintain their properties and allow them to fall into disrepair.</span>

<span>"Some of these will be big deals," he said.</span>