North Vernon officials say they want to increase efforts to clean up the city. City Councilman Brian Hatfield told the body during its meeting this week that the number of unlicensed vehicles and broken windows on buildings is too high. He added that making the effort and enforcing ordinances already on the books will go a long way towards cleaning up the community.

Larry Greathouse, the city’s attorney, says that there is already a state law that instructs municipalities on how to handle unlicensed vehicles. He explained it comes down to local enforcement. Police Chief James Webster told the council that his officers could increase enforcement efforts as they come across vehicles that are in violation, but added that he would need some guidance from the body on when, and how, to proceed. As for the window problem, Greathouse explained that the council would need to craft an ordinance dealing with penalties, timelines and enforcement measures.

While council members talked about the aesthetics of having broken and boarded-up windows on downtown buildings, Hatfield stressed that there is also a public-safety component. He noted that some buildings have had broken windows for years, allowing rain and other elements inside and potentially damaging their structural integrity. That drew a hearty agreement from Fire Chief Mike Cole, who said that there are some buildings that he will not send firefighters into. Cole argued that the floors in some of these structures are too damaged and the risk of a firefighter death too great to send people inside.

The council agreed to take the matter under advisement.