В округе Принс-Джордж ужесточают штрафы за заброшенную коммерческую недвижимость

Prince George's County law targets neglected properties with higher fines HYATTSVILLE, Md. (7News) — A new law in Prince George’s County is giving officials more power to hold property owners accountable for neglected land, including areas county leaders say have become chronic nuisance locations. The Prince George’s County Council unanimously approved legislation increasing penalties for non-residential property maintenance violations. Under the new law, the first fine for a violation will double from $1,000 to $2,000. If problems continue, property owners could face fines of up to $5,000 per day -- penalties that county leaders say could quickly add up and provide a stronger incentive for owners to address ongoing issues. SEE ALSO: "It's hard for everybody": Grieving father speaks after daughter killed in rideshare crash Councilmember Wanika Fisher said the goal is to ensure enforcement applies across the county, including areas involving industrial, commercial and utility-owned properties. “Our office of emergency management, that’s also going to be taking on the enforcement arm of the county and making sure we are enforcing the laws to everyone. I don’t think we have the same issue with residential necessarily, but the extent of the issue at industrial, commercial, and utility-owned properties, it just exacerbated in certain parts of the county,” Fisher said. One location that helped fuel the push for tougher enforcement is along University Boulevard and 23rd Avenue near Riggs Road. Officials and residents have raised concerns about recurring encampments, illegal dumping, drug activity and other quality-of-life issues in the area. READ MORE: Former Maryland teacher sentenced after selling fentanyl to a man days before his death 7News reached out to Colonial Pipeline, which owns a narrow strip of land adjacent to an electric utility right of way in the area. The company said it is one of several landowners impacted by an encampment that has returned between cleanups. “Colonial Pipeline owns a narrow strip of land adjacent to an electric utility right of way and is one of several landowners who have been impacted by an encampment that has intermittently persisted in between cleanups in the area. We have been working with Prince George’s County authorities and other stakeholders as cleanup work continues," said David Conti, Colonial Pipeline's Director of Communications & Engagement. Prince George’s County officials said the new law is designed to give the county additional tools to address properties that create ongoing public safety and community concerns.