Emilee Jackson and Taylor Vorra are working for the city this summer doing residential inspections as part of an education and awareness campaign on bylaw enforcement.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel
Two Medicine Hat College students are back this summer to assist the city with bylaw enforcement.
Emilee Jackson and Taylor Vorra were selected for a pilot program last year, where they did residential inspections as part of an education and awareness campaign, according to Heather Trail, supervisor of municipal enforcement with the City of Medicine Hat.
“If there was some tweaking that needed to be done, any tidying up or early stages of untidiness, they would leave a door hanger or have a conversation with the homeowner reminding them of their responsibility,” she said.
Some examples of issues they’d look out for are garbage contained incorrectly, weeds beginning to grow and overgrown vegetation, among others.
This pilot was successful, with an 80 per cent compliance rate, Trail said. The other 20 per cent of cases were forwarded to the regular community peace officers to follow up on.
“Having such a successful summer with an 80 per cent compliance rate, it was a no-brainer that we would try it again this year,” Trail said, adding that they inspected 460 properties in their inaugural year.
Jackson and Vorra have already started their inspections for this year.
“We’re always looking at having a way to empower young people, offering leadership opportunities,” said Trail. “It’s nice to keep young people involved in the organization … It’s also a great way for the community to see we’re offering a different level of service, being the education and awareness.”
The two paid positions are funded through the province’s Summer Temporary Employment Program.
Trail says the job has been helpful in several ways to Jackson and Vorra, who both recently finished their two-year police and security diploma at MHC.
“I know that their confidence has grown, it’s given them experience sharing information with people for their communication skills,” she said. “They’re getting to know the community in a different way, they’re enjoying speaking with everyone throughout the community they wouldn’t normally and, of course, they’re working alongside our regular CPOs and getting some experience with the police program here.”
Anyone in the community with residential property concerns can call bylaw’s non-emergency line at 403-529-8481 to report it, and arrange for Jackson and Vorra to come by.
