Courtesy Orem City

It was 20 years ago that the Orem Police Department formed the Neighborhood Preservation Unit to deal with nuisances, accumulating junk on properties and complaints.

That changed in July 2021. The unit was dissolved and the Neighborhood Improvement Team was created. It is filled by employees who take the responsibility from the police department, allowing cops to have more officers on duty.

The new NIT group includes Steven Downs, deputy city manager; Kenna Mathews, community services manager, Brady Andreason, police liaison; Gary Le Doux, Jeff Turner and Richard Earl, civilian code enforcers; and Aaron McKnight, assistant city attorney.

Their job is to enforce things like keeping properties free of weeds, clutter, homeless camps, unregistered or inoperable vehicles on private property and more, according to Mathews.

In a report given to the council during its recent work session, it was noted that since July the team has had 687 cases and 442 had obtained compliance with 70% of those becoming compliant in 30 days or less.

Courtesy Orem City

“It is amazing the difference in our neighborhood with all the cleanup that was done last year,” said one unnamed Orem resident quoted in the report. “Things are looking up around us.”

One of the major goals this year and in coming years for the council is to make Orem safe and with livable neighborhoods. The NIT is the go-to team to make things happen.

Above all, the council would like to make sure the Orem team helps to maintain property values, prevent crime and be extra eyes in city neighborhoods.

The NIT group is also involved with establishing a variety of activities in the neighborhoods, including picnics with the police, neighborhood leader meetings, abatement on city property and back to school nights, according to Mathews.

One of the other programs headed by the NIT is the Property All Star Award program. This is not to be confused with the Orem Beautification Committee’s award.

“Thanks for your updates and the great work you are doing to clean up the city,” an Orem resident wrote. “The efforts of you and your colleagues are greatly appreciated. Code enforcement is actually occurring with plentiful and visible results.”

If you have concerns about properties or noncriminal nuisance in your neighborhood, call Orem City’s 311 help desk for assistance.

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