Officers hit the streets to patrol residential, commercial zones
On July 23, staff from the city’s Communications Department spent the day with Neighborhood Enhancement Officer Danny Dill from the Community Image Department to live-tweet a “day in the life” of a Community Image officer. In case you missed it, here’s a rundown of the day’s activities:
Good morning, TC! Welcome to our very first live-tweet event featuring a ride-along #InTheField with Danny Dill from Community Image pic.twitter.com/ofbTpRv6bG
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Today we’ll be sharing w/you a typical morning in the life of a Community Image officer. If you’ve got questions as we move along feel free to reply below.
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Danny’s day begins with a proactive patrol of the city’s main thoroughfares looking for sign violations. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Such signs include nuisance signs, unapproved signs, signs without a permit, and non-conforming signs. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
“Typically we’d have found a half dozen signs by now but nothing so far today, and that’s a good thing,” Danny says. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Garage sale signs require a permit and are free! But they must be placed properly, have a permit sticker and be removed by 8am Monday. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
“For Rent” signs are allowed on the property but not anywhere else, including the right of way #InTheField pic.twitter.com/XZNQfqM2db
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Signs collected in violation will be held for three days at city hall after which they will be thrown away. #InTheField pic.twitter.com/L7plhdJNSz
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Sign route wrapped up for today, Danny moves on to patrolling commercial property where he checks for safety hazards, graffiti, illegal dumping, zoning violations and more #InTheField pic.twitter.com/yRpn0A8xaO
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
After a short break, we are back #InTheField. Danny is documenting commercial landscaping that obstructs the view of street signs. Such violations are a safety hazard. Should have 7ft ground clearance on sidewalks, 14ft on streets. pic.twitter.com/REDacfbZZF
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
“It may seem trivial to some but safety is a serious issue and it’s my job to help keep the community safe,” Danny said. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Inspecting commercial parking lots for potholes and striping is part of Community Image’s job too. Contractors are out repairing some holes today in fact. Danny is sure to stop and thank them #InTheField pic.twitter.com/f0rfIhnENA
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Notably absent from his day so far is deskwork. “We don’t spend our time sitting in the office writing letters all day,” Danny said. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
What they do spend their time doing is driving the streets making inspections and proactively looking for violations, including big rigs parked where they shouldn’t be. #InTheField pic.twitter.com/nhXFTnDtu1
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Commercial route done, well take a break and return soon to track Danny’s residential route in the afternoon. Each Community Image officer has his/her own zone of the city to monitor #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
And we’re back #InTheField with Community Image. En route to his residential zone, Danny stops to document some vehicles marked “for sale” in a grocery store parking lot. #DYK? Parking lots are NOT zoned for car sales.
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Residential routes include patrolling for safety violations, code violations, and re-inspections of existing cases. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Danny checks up on existing cases such as junked vehicles and grass-and-weeds. Each case has a timeline affording the homeowner due process to abate the issue. #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Weeds & grass may not exceed 12 inches in height. Property owners are given one annual notice for weeds & grass violations. Each instance thereafter is considered a subsequent violation and sent to the contractors for abatement #InTheField pic.twitter.com/WRuGmUpYEt
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Whether it’s commercial or residential, Community Image officers #InTheField work to build relationships with property owners in their zones. This new fence started going up w/out a permit but Danny reached out proactively and helped sort it out before it became a problem. pic.twitter.com/9pTWJQynoL
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Patrols complete, we're back at City Hall to address some frequently asked questions, starting with, Q: What's the difference between a notice and a citation? #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Here are examples of each document. The notice has city letterhead and specific info about the ordinance in question. The citation says "Citation" and includes instructions about appearing in court. Community Image #InTheField pic.twitter.com/3tHbdfG7tr
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
#InTheField #FAQ No. 2: Does Community Image enforce HOA rules? A: No. The city only enforces city ordinances.
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
#InTheField #FAQ No. 3, Q: When can I place my trash/recycling containers out by the curb? A: Twenty-four hours before the day they are to be collected. Then they must be removed before 24 hours after collection.
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
#InTheField #FAQ No. 4, Q: How often is bulk and green waste collected? A: Green waste is collected EVERY Monday, while bulk items are collected twice a month depending on your trash day. All the details are online: https://t.co/MPUKeTpO1W
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
#InTheField #FAQ, No. 5, Q: What do I do with old paints, batteries, or household chemicals? A: The city has a drop-off location for household hazardous waste and more located next to Fire Station No. 2 on North Colony. For address & hours: https://t.co/HgHawy1X0H
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
If you have more questions or would like to find out more about the role of Community Image in your community, feel free to contact the department's staff via their department directory on our website: https://t.co/6p8idUlVfW #InTheField
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
Thanks for joining us today for our live-tweet #InTheField with Danny Dill from Community Image! See you next time pic.twitter.com/z7eaV4qOTq
— City of The Colony (@TheColonyTexas) July 23, 2018
The Colony, Texas 