I applaud the Belleville City Council's decision to not pass a bad law.

To clarify, everybody who spoke at Tuesday's meeting about the occupancy ordinance was in favor of safety occupancy inspections when people first move into a dwelling. I am a strong supporter of safety inspections, even to the point that I've suggested that a home seller obtain an inspection that is transferred to the buyer.

A wise man once said, "Before passing a law to solve a problem, make sure you've identified the correct problem".

Let's review the perceived problem. People complained about loud noise from neighbors. We already have ordinances against loud noise. People complained about drug use in homes. We already have ordinances against drug use. People complained on having a parolee properly listed on the occupancy permit. A parole officer has every right to check on a parolee without his name being listed on an occupancy permit. For every complaint made during the meeting there is an existing ordinance. When the police are called to a residence because of a nuisance complaint, they should just enforce the existing nuisance ordinance.

We don't need an ordinance that allows the police to walk up to any home, knock on the door and verify that each person residing in the home is listed on an occupancy permit.

Michael Hagberg

Candidate, Ward 5 alderman Belleville