This is a good article about environmental citations. The part about black neighborhoods being cited more is important. I believe it’s also important that Violetville/Morrell Park is the most cited “white” neighborhood.

I live in Saint Agnes, right next to Violetville. I noticed for a few years that my neighbors and friends in Violetville complain about the environmental citations more than they did years ago. Multiple friends say they get fined if they complain about the local political group, or complain about the police or elected officials. Last year I filed a formal complaint about a police officer, I received an environmental fine and a parking ticket the next week. The fine was for “tall grass”, the picture online wasn’t my house. I received the fine notice in the mail three months after it was issued so I couldn’t appeal it, I only know the fine was issued the week after I filed the complaint because the notice online was dated.

I believe this is misuse of the environmental citation process. This area used to be beautiful and clean, we had groups of students and young people who did community service sweeping the streets and picking up litter, annual garden contests for the older people, events like that to keep the area nice looking. When I talk to my neighbors about the citations and fines, the people who get the fines are the people with the cleanest looking houses, but they speak out about what seems like corruption. The vacant houses, abandoned buildings, rentals with tenants that change every month and never get cleaned don’t get fined.

This has been a problem for at least three years. I reported it to the Mayor’s office. I don’t know where else to report it. I know this post is an older black woman venting. Does anyone have insight or suggestions?