Calls related to the city’s so-called “good neighbour” bylaw have been steadily increasing since the system was instilled six years ago, officials say.
Bylaw director Bill Bruce said the city received 10,000 more calls than usual last year, elevating the total to almost 62,000 in 2009.
“I think it just shows that people know they have somewhere to turn, and it shows people are taking an interest in their communities,” Bruce said.
Bruce says half the calls under the bylaw are related to snow and ice control. The other 50 per cent pertain to weed control, unsightly yards and alleys, and noise complaints.
Bruce said just because there are more calls coming in doesn’t necessarily mean Calgarians are behaving worse than usual.
“It just means more people are aware and the city is growing. And we have such a high compliance rate that most people get it after the first visit without fines and we don’t need to come back,” he said, adding compliance rates are between 95 and 97 per cent.
