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Code enforcement and public-works staff warn residents about illegal electrical hookups, common-driveway hazards
Summary
Code co-director Lamar Palas and borough staff reported enforcement activity on property violations and urged residents to report illegal electrical meter tampering and hazardous common driveways; councilors asked staff to distribute reporting guidance.
Yadenborough code and borough staff on Aug. 14 urged residents to report unsafe or illegal activity, including suspected meter tampering and dilapidated common driveways that pose safety hazards.
Lamar Palas, who introduced himself as the code co-director, said code enforcement issued roughly 400 violation letters last month for issues including shared-driveway conditions, vegetation and debris; he said about 35% of recipients complied after the first letter and the department is seeing positive follow-up compliance.
Borough staff and another municipal official asked residents to be on the lookout for illegal electrical hookups and meter tampering, which staff said present immediate public-safety risks to entire blocks. Council members and staff described indicators residents can report, such as a missing meter face where the meter readout would normally be visible, and asked residents to contact the borough or report anonymously if needed.
Staff also noted increased enforcement on common-driveway maintenance; council members urged residents to email Director Collins or Raffi Cave if they know of dangerously degraded shared driveways so the borough can take action. Code staff said mattress and bulky-item disposal must follow borough procedures (e.g., mattresses should be wrapped) and that some commercial properties (200 McDade Boulevard plaza) recently came into compliance after code enforcement engagement.
Why it matters: Illegal electrical connections pose fire and electrocution risks to occupants and neighbors; failing shared driveways can create public-safety and accessibility hazards. Borough staff said increased resident reporting will help prioritize enforcement and repairs.
Council members asked staff to supply a simple flyer or photo guide for residents showing what a missing electric-meter face looks like so neighbors can report suspected illegal hookups more easily. Staff said they will follow up and coordinate on public information.
