Last year was a banner year for building and property code enforcement for the city of Freeport.
Logging in a record 5,000 code enforcement activities, the city has become a firm believer in using
existing ordinances and codes to help improve neighborhoods.

“It’s not always about pursuing or adopting something ‘new’ to make progress,” argues Freeport Mayor
Jodi Miller. “Sometimes you have to just use what you already have in place but make a greater
commitment to using it more effectively and becoming more discipline in your approach.”
Mayor Miller says the city needs to continue its aggressive approach of its building and property codes
and ordinance enforcement over the next four years if Freeport expects to see improvements in
neighborhoods and in public safety.

“Left unchecked, code violations lead to blight and blight leads to crime and unsafe conditions in
neighborhoods,” says Mayor Miller. “You have to enforce codes in all of our neighborhoods to have a
safe community for everyone.”

Over the past few years, explains Jodi, the city has deployed several strategies to aggressively enforce
property and building codes in Freeport. These efforts have resulted in an astonishing number of code
citations and private property improvements. Aggressive code enforcement has resulted in properties
being improved by their owners and 51 demolitions of blighted or dangerous properties.
 

The city has also invested in new technology to help with their property code enforcement efforts. A
new online and digital rental property registration system has made it easier for rental property owners
to register their properties. The rental property registration requirement makes it easier for the city and
its public safety departments to contact rental property owners or managers in the event there is an
issue or concern at one of their properties.
 

Additionally, the city’s iWorQ phone app allows everyday citizens to log complaints of possible property
code violations.