Enforcing Loitering, Demolition, and Blight Tax with DeKalb Code Compliance | Chakira’s Corner

On this episode of Chakira's Corner, host Matt Shedd sits down with DeKalb County Director of Code Compliance and Enforcement Tonza Clark and Commissioner Chakira Johnson for a deep look at how DeKalb is reimagining property and code enforcement. Director Clark walks through the new proactive approach: six-day-a-week operations, hotel-motel sweeps, the loitering enforcement partnership with DeKalb Police that has reached close to 100% compliance at convenience stores and gas stations, and the new blight tax that can charge non-compliant property owners ten times the regular tax rate. Commissioner Johnson shares District 4 wins, including two recent demolitions on Shepherd Road and West Mountain Street, and connects her Engineer Progress for DeKalb vision with CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson's Reimagine DeKalb initiative. Tune in for the full conversation, plus how to reach Code Compliance directly. 0:00 - Welcome & Meet Director Tonza Clark 4:31 - Scope of Code Compliance 6:08 - District 4 Constituent Complaints 7:22 - Proactive Approach: Six Days a Week 8:22 - Loitering Initiative & Police Partnership 12:37 - Safer Communities in District 4 14:01 - The Enforcement Process Walkthrough 16:25 - Vacant & Foreclosure Property Registry 21:02 - Demolitions & the In-Rem Process 26:59 - Party Houses & the Noise Ordinance 33:50 - Final Takeaways & the New Blight Tax 41:05 - How to Reach Code Compliance Relevant Links and Contact Info: DeKalb County Code Compliance (File a Complaint) - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/code-c... Code Compliance Phone: 404-687-3700 Code Compliance Email: [email protected] Commissioner Chakira Johnson, DeKalb District 4 - https://www.dekalbcountyga.gov/govern... Commissioner Johnson's Official Website - https://www.commissionerchakirajohnso... All of Commissioner Johnson's Social Handles - https://linktr.ee/commissionerchakira... Commissioner Johnson Email: [email protected]