I am writing to formally express my concern and frustration regarding the lack of action by Dover’s chief code officer, Eddie Kopp, and the other code enforcement officers assigned to our neighborhood (Stoney Creek). Over the past year, I and other residents have reported multiple violations — including abandoned vehicles, unsafe structures, garbage all over the alleyway, drug dealings and people walking in the alley with what appear to be illegal weapons — yet no visible enforcement nor corrective measures have been taken.
These ongoing issues are negatively impacting the safety, appearance and property values in our community. Despite repeated reports, there has been little to no communication nor follow-up from code enforcement, leaving residents feeling disregarded and frustrated. I have reached out to Dover city manager Sharon Duca, who is in charge of code enforcement, and sent her emails and video clips from a camera I installed on the back of my house. I have received no response from her nor Police Chief Tom Johnson. When you call or go down to City Hall, everyone is always out to lunch.
I have repeatedly requested the replacement of a fence that was once in the alleyway dividing Barrister Place housing from Stoney Creek. This fence would help keep the criminal activity from coming over to our neighborhood. The request of this fence has fallen on deaf ears or goes from Ms. Duca’s or Mr. Kopp’s one ear to the other without stopping in the brain.
I respectfully request that Ms. Duca review these concerns, investigate the lack of enforcement by the Code Enforcement Office and provide a clear plan of action to address the violations in a timely manner because our safety is at risk. I am happy to provide documentation, photographs, video and dates of prior complaints to assist in your review.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your prompt response and to seeing meaningful improvements in our neighborhood.
Larry Arellano
Dover
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