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Neighborhood Nuisance Handbook Page 13 of 17 If a public telephone is being used for prostitution, drug dealing or any other illegal purpose it is a problem telephone. Upon notification of the existence of a problem phone, LIEP will hold informal hearings to gather evidence and take testimony as to the validity of the claim. Upon a finding of fact that a particular telephone is a problem phone, LIEP may issue an order to the licensee and the owner of the phone to either restrict usage or have the phone temporarily or permanently removed (266- 9090). ~KO}!ER-'F-Y NUISANCE Some violations of City ordinances are criminal violations, which are punished through the criminal justice system (see CRIMINAL PROSECUTION). The nuisance ordinance includes provisions that allows the City to ensure that the problem is corrected. The nuisance ordinance permits the City to abate a wide variety of property nuisances, including any thing or condition on a property which is a fire hazard, a violation of the Fire Code, a health hazard, a violation of any health or sanitation law or any other type of hazard. To notify the City about a nuisance, either call the responsible department or call Citizen Service Office (266-8989), who will then contact the correct department. Once a department is notified of a nuisance, and it is determined that the complaint is in violation of the ordinance, that department follows through until the problem is taken care of. The department sends an inspector to look at the problem and, if it is a violation, issues orders to the property owner to fix or clean up the problem. The department's order includes a notice of possible penalties for noncompliance. If the owner does not comply, the City will either issue a tag, or will perform a summary abatement of the nuisance. The City will reinspect the problem until it is solved. If it is solved, the file is closed until and unless the City is notified of another problem. However, the owner may appeal if he or she does not agree with the order: Code violation orders may be appealed to the Legislative Hearing Officer, who can support or reverse the inspector's order, subject to City Council review. Summary abatement orders and assessments can be appealed directly to the Legislative Hearing Officer, subject to City Council review. Zoning violation orders can be appealed to the Board of Zoning Appeals, again subject to City Council review. You can learn whether an appeal has been filed by calling the department that conducted the inspection, by calling the City Clerk or Board of Zoning Appeals. To find out whether an appeal is being heard by the City Council, call the Legislative Hearing Officer (266-8575). PROSTITUTION Prostitution is engaging or offering or agreeing to engage in sexual contact for payment. If a prostitute and a patron are adults (18 years old), both can be charged with a misdemeanor. If children are involved in prostitution or if a pimp is involved, the offense could be a felony. If you observe what may be soliciting or other acts related to prostitution, call the police (291-1111). If possible, give the police as much specific information as you can safely obtain, such as license numbers or descriptions of the persons involved. PI:JlJ~IC NUISANCE http://www .stpaul. gov /councillhandbook.html 07/06/1999