Sutherlin to register abandoned homes to curb crime

SUTHERLIN, Ore. (AP) — Property owners in Sutherlin who have empty homes will have to register those properties with the police department in an effort to curb crime.

The News-Review reports (http://bit.ly/2fhpzsS ) that the Sutherlin City Council on Monday approved an ordinance requiring the registering at the suggestion of Police Chief Kirk Sanfilippo.

Sanfilippo says his department has been fielding complaints against abandoned properties for several years but officers often have a hard time tracking down who is responsible for the vacant homes. Often the owners have relinquished the property to a mortgage company after foreclosure.

The new ordinance requires lenders to register vacant properties through the city police department. This will help officers determine who is responsible for keeping properties up to code. There will be no cost for registration.

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Information from: The News-Review, http://www.nrtoday.com