The City of Biddeford is considering an ordinance amendment that would add to the recently implemented disorderly housing law, which was designed to crack down on apartment buildings that are nuisances.

This new, proposed amendment would allow police to deal more effectively with similar complaints at local businesses ”“ where tenants, guests, patrons or employees disturb the peace, and participate in disorderly conduct and/or other illegal activity. At a recent meeting, the city’s policy committee discussed the proposal, which would give police the authority to designate properties where certain problems occur as “nuisance properties.”

At that meeting, Biddeford Police Chief Roger Beaupre cited the success of the disorderly housing ordinance, to which the proposed amendment would be added.

He said of the three properties that were designated a “disorderly house,” none resulted in a fine, and all of the issues were resolved.

“The success of the disorderly housing ordinance has been so great, we need to expand it to include other properties,” Beaupre said.

The policy committee has sent the amendment on to the city council with its recommendation for approval.

We hope the council will approve the amendment to give police ”“ and business owners ”“ the tools to deal with people who are being disruptive and detrimental to an area of the city.

Although we were concerned about the fines when the disorderly housing ordinance was first proposed, the city has not had to go that far, and it seems the ordinance has given the city and property owners an avenue to address such issues. This amendment will hopefully provide the same opportunity for business owners.

To be deemed a nuisance property, police would have to be called to a property between three and five times, depending on the number of units in the building, within a 30-day period. With a nuisance property designation, the business and/or property owner would be required to meet with a police officer, usually within five business days of a written notification, to discuss how to resolve the situation.

The parties would enter a written agreement, and abatement steps would be implemented within a week or an agreed period of time. The nuisance property designation would be in effect for 90 days ”“ longer if more violations occurred.

Fines could be levied and legal action could be taken against those who don’t comply, but it’s clear from the disorderly housing ordinance that police try to work out the issues with property owners and tenant to avoid those actions.

If approved, the amendment would give city officials the legal tools and procedures to “discourage, abate and punish” nuisance behavior at a residential, public or commercial property, according to Beaupre.

When the city council takes its final vote on this issue, we hope they will lend their support to measure to help further improve the city and the downtown atmosphere.

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Today’s editorial was written by City Editor Robyn Burnham Rousseau on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.