FULLERTON : Operation Cleanup Targets Drug Areas

In an effort to halt the spread of drug-related crime and stop the deterioration of buildings in some areas of Fullerton, city officials have launched a 25-week cleanup program.

Operation Cleanup started last week at the apartment complexes in the 300 and 400 blocks of West Valencia Drive. The effort includes such city agencies as the city attorney’s office and the Community Services, Police and Fire departments, said Fullerton Police Capt. Lee Devore, who leads the project.

Last week, a building inspector, a code enforcement officer, a fire inspector and a police officer made their first inspection at 313 W. Valencia Drive. The inspections take four hours each and will be conducted on Mondays and Wednesdays. The city hopes to inspect two properties a week. If code violations are found, property owners will be notified by mail that they have 30 days to correct the violations.

After notices have been issued, Devore said, inspectors will revisit the properties to see if code violations are corrected. If not, violators could face fines and up to six months in jail.

In addition to the inspections, the streets will be swept once a week instead of every two weeks.

Devore said the Valencia Drive area--which he called one of the worst in the city--includes many buildings that have deteriorated both inside and out.

“Health and safety code, building code and other violations are evident from the exteriors of the buildings, and we believe many more exist within them,” he said.

As a result, Devore said, crime in this area, particularly drug dealing, has escalated dramatically. From January, 1988, to June, 1990, there were 1,107 calls to the police, resulting in 327 drug-related arrests. He added that the Fire Department has reported handling more than 250 calls to the area since 1987.

“Support by the community for this program has been very good,” Devore said, indicating that Operation Cleanup was designed after a similar program in Santa Ana. --ERIK HAMILTON