Mass sweep checks for nuisances and violations

YOUNGSTOWN

City and county officials began conducting a mass exterior inspection of some 40 parcels of real estate this morning on the city’s South Side looking for various public nuisance and other violations.

City police and fire, health and building inspectors and county sheriff’s deputies and Dog Warden Dave Nelson converged on the block bounded by Oakhill, Garfield and Myrtle avenues and Market Street at 9 a.m.

The area is in the shadows of St. Patrick Roman Catholic Church on Oakhill Avenue.

City Prosecutor Jay Macejko said authorities were looking for health, safety, littering, and unlicensed vehicle and dog violations in the area, which has generated numerous complaints. The dog warden and his deputy were attempting to catch two loose dogs, but the dogs eluded them.

If the exterior inspection reveals probable cause that violations exist, authorities will seek a search warrant to enter the premises, Macejko said.