Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) has sponsored a bill that aims to reduce critical and persistent housing code violations in the county by establishing an Investigation Unit in the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE). The bill, CB-79-2024, would require the new unit to work alongside the Department of the Environment and the Revenue Authority to investigate and enforce code violations. It will be under consideration in Committee of the Whole on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
“There’s a home in my neighborhood that’s basically running an entire junkyard out of their house. There’s another house that appears to be running an autobody shop. One citation is just not enough,” Council Member Fisher said. “I believe that DPIE, DOE, and Revenue Authority really need to work together to build cases that hit hard and eliminate bad actors in our communities.”
Council Member Fisher’s intent is to create a dedicated team of DPIE staff who are tasked with investigating issues that persist, even after multiple citations, while other DPIE staff handles typical work and inspections.
Additionally, Council Member Fisher has two other bills moving through committee: CR-92-2024 and CR-32-2024.
CR-92-2024 is a resolution currently in the Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee that would encourage the creation of a pilot program exploring the establishment of a regional service director position for Langley Park, MD.
CR-32-2024 is a resolution currently in the Health, Human Services and Public Safety Committee that would express Council’s strong support and encouragement for the creation of a Criminal Justice Coordination Council in Prince George’s County, similar to those in Washington, D.C., Montgomery County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding jurisdictions in Virginia. This new body would aid in the coordination of law enforcement efforts, resources, and knowledge.