Letter writer Dennis Kaufmann's frustration is understandable as it relates to rental property. I don't believe he understands my position on the matter. I don't want him to be mad at me, I'm on his side.
As a landlord and homeowner I am well aware of the problems he is concerned with. I, too, have been victimized by irresponsible landlords and their slum tenants. One bad rental unit can bring an entire neighborhood down. I lived with it for many years.
As a concerned citizen I agreed to be on the Crime Free Housing Committee with the hopes of doing something about it. The problem with this CFH ordinance is it attaches a rent tax and intrusions on all renters and all landlords, good and bad, while ignoring problems stemming from the other two-thirds of the population. There are many homeowners who are guilty of the same offenses Kaufmann speaks of and they, too, should be dealt with.
The cost of law enforcement must be shared by all. A small percentage of rental properties are troublesome. Most of these are multi-unit apartment complexes. Because of the actions of a few we are taxing the entire rental community to pay for the cost of law enforcement that serves the entire city. The ordinance has checks, balances and heavy fines that will give cause for landlords and tenants to correct their behavior.
I would support a fee to combat our crime problems if it were applied to everyone, homeowners and tenants.
Stan Bratzke
Belleville
