Activity in the local grama has seen a notable increase over the past couple of years, with 148 new residential cases opened or inspected so far this year, surpassing the total of 112 cases recorded in all of 2023. This surge is attributed to the efforts of the neighborhood preservation officer, who has been more active in the field following a strategic reprioritization of their responsibilities.

During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the reasons behind this uptick in activity. The neighborhood preservation officer noted that the increase in cases is primarily due to residents calling in complaints, rather than random inspections. The officer emphasized that the department has shifted focus from desk support to fieldwork, leading to a rise in both phone calls and inspections.

Despite the increase in cases, the department remains largely reactive, addressing complaints as they arise, except in situations involving immediate life safety issues. To enhance their response capabilities, the council has allocated budget for part-time positions, which will allow for more timely handling of complaints and potentially more proactive enforcement measures.

As the recruitment process for these part-time positions progresses, officials expressed optimism that the additional resources will help maintain the upward trend in neighborhood preservation efforts.