Q&A with Athens Code Enforcement Administrator Jack Reddick
Parking violations, trash management and housing codes are part of Jack Reddick’s job as administrator for the Athens-Clarke County Code Enforcement Division. His division oversees how residents adhere to the county’s rules and regulations.
Reddick, a former code enforcement officer with 22 years in the field, is a University of Georgia graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sociology as well as an associate’s degree in criminal justice and law enforcement from Darton College in Albany, Georgia. He answered questions pertaining to Athens’ recent housing plans, what college students should avoid when renting and other student concerns.
Q: As a former code enforcement officer who has worked in a campus housing environment, in accordance with the definition of the family ordinance, what strategies does your division utilize to investigate over-occupancy complaints without infringing on homeowner privacy?
A: When we get those kinds of complaints, we go to the property with probable cause before we even approach anybody, not just the property. Without that, there is no reason to go into the property. If we do have probable cause, we go to the property and ask questions to find out the living situation. Holes in the walls, leaks and electrical outlets that don’t work are common red flags we look for.
Q: How does your academic background in sociology and knowledge of human behavior influence how you manage a team and community?
A: I would say I’ve used it for analysis and research. I look at the number of complaints and whether or not there is an uptick. Then, I analyze the situation and place specific officers where they need to be placed.
Q: Why do you think there has been this “uptick” in complaints, especially when it comes to housing?
A: We actually have had an uptick in complaints recently. Mainly because we’ve had a lot of people moving into the city at once. It goes through the seasons of when college students move in.
Comments edited for length and clarity.
