District of Barriere Bylaw Enforcement Officer, Tasha Buchanan, reported at the Jan. 6, 2020, regular council meeting on the 2019 Bylaw Enforcement Statistics Review.
“The District currently has a number of bylaws that if contravened can result in enforcement action such as Noise, Unsightly Premises, Parking, Nuisance, Off-leash Dogs in parks, etc.,” reported Buchanan.
“Other complaints are often received where after listening to the full issue and making the appropriate inquiries to ensure the District isn’t dismissive of an issue, it is determined that the issue is not in the municipality’s jurisdiction to regulate.”
She noted that in these cases, staff can sometimes aid towards the resolution of the issue for the purpose of community safety or simply provide direction to the appropriate agency to address the specific complaint.
“These calls are not included in the statistical data presented here,” said Buchanan, “Not all complaints received turn out to be bylaw infractions but an investigation is always undertaken to make this determination. Enforcement is largely complaint driven with education and compliance being the goal rather than punitive damage whenever reasonable.”
She noted that for comparative purposes, the year 2018 had 38 Bylaw complaints received (not including burning complaints that the Barriere Fire Department responded to).
“Not all burning complaints received by the Fire Department turn out to be a bylaw violation,” concluded Buchanan while noting that one ticket was issued in 2019 and was paid in the amount of $250 for a burning violation.