Get Ready for electdandixon.com!

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The number one responsibility of any government is ensuring the safety of its citizens. And in that—we have failed.

Shootings. Murder. Drug trafficking. Gangs. Homelessness. Aggressive panhandling.

This is what happens when you shrug your shoulders—blame the county and state—and claim there is nothing you can do.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We have the authority. We have the tools. What we lack is the will.

Let's face it. Criminals set up shop where it's easy to do business. And we need to be honest... Millville has been easy pickins' for criminals for the past few years. We have tools we can use. Stop blaming the county. Stop blaming the state. Yes, they have both made things much worse, but we aren't using all of our tools to chase these criminals out of town. We aren't making Millville a HARD place to do business.

Yes, the police have been understaffed. But that is no excuse NOT to use the power this city has to remove the criminal element from the city.

So where do we start?

Landlords!

Stay with me, folks.

The city has the authority, in the city code, to designate properties as nuisance properties—either because of criminal activity, neglect, or abandonment.
➤ Millville City Code §11-80

Step 1. The city will file complaints—and fine landlords (or property owners) based on the parameters set in the city code for designating the property a nuisance property.

Step 2. Fine the landlords. Either fix the problem or evict the tenants causing the problem.

Step 3. If the landlord solves the problem—great. Otherwise, continue fining the landlord until they fix the problem.

Step 4. Landlords can evict Section 8 tenants based on criminal activity.
➤ See 24 C.F.R. § 5.861

Continue aggressive enforcement and fines until landlords comply.

Step 5. For landlords that ignore the fines, the city has the power to lump fines into their property tax bill.
➤ See N.J.S.A. § 40:48-2.12f

Step 6. If the landlord doesn’t pay their taxes, take the property over.
➤ See N.J.S.A. § 54:5-31

Yes, it’s a lot of work. But it will be effective and worth it! Landlords will start to be choosier over who they rent to and take a more active role in what happens in the neighborhood. (They will have no choice.)

I think in a year we could see a big difference in these neighborhoods—we can run the criminals out of town—leaving the good people who just want a safe place to raise their families.

This, along with ramped-up enforcement, patrols, and a proactive crime task force, can make a huge difference in the city.

What we need is someone to push this agenda.

And that person is me!

No more shrugging our shoulders wishing there were things we can do.

We can! And we will!

Share my page and follow.

Legal Reference Section 

City of Millville. (2024). Dangerous, Damaged and Unfit Structures – Nuisance Properties. Millville Municipal Code §11-80. Retrieved from https://ecode360.com/12175524

City of Millville. (2024). Prohibited Conduct: Abandoned and Vacant Properties. Millville Municipal Code §11-91. Retrieved from https://ecode360.com/12175529

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 40:48-2.12f (2024). Ordinance for recovery of costs of municipal abatement action as lien on property. Retrieved from https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 54:5-31 (2024). Municipal lien foreclosure; certificate holder may institute foreclosure proceedings. Retrieved from https://www.njleg.state.nj.us/

24 C.F.R. § 5.861 (2023). Termination of tenancy and assistance on the basis of criminal activity or alcohol abuse in federally assisted housing. Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/.../part-5/subpart-L/section-5.861

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2020). Housing Choice Voucher Program Guidebook. Retrieved from https://www.hud.gov/.../public_indian_housing/programs/hcv

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:33-12 (2024). Maintaining a nuisance. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-2c/section-2c-33-12/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 39:4-138 (2024). Places where parking or standing is prohibited. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-39/section-39-4-138/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:35-5 (2024). Unlawful possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-2c/section-2c-35-5/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:33-13 (2024). Smoking in public. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-2c/section-2c-33-13/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 26:3D-55 (2024). New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-26/section-26-3d-55/

N.J. Stat. Ann. § 40:48-1.7 (2024). Municipal surveillance camera registration ordinance. Retrieved from https://law.justia.com/.../2024/title-40/section-40-48-1.7/