Dana Hewitt is the code enforcement inspector for the City of Warsaw.

By Tim Ashley
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Dana Hewitt has one of those jobs that can be unpleasant if someone chooses not to cooperate. That’s why he prefers “enhancement through enforcement” and wants to educate the public and give people time to comply.

Hewitt is the code enforcement inspector for the City of Warsaw and has an office in City Hall. He deals with properties in the city limits with either a general or environmental nuisance such as abandoned vehicles, building code violations, trash or debris.

“I mediate between the owner and tenant and enforce city codes,” he said, noting he spent the first couple of years informing the public about the various municipal codes Warsaw has.

Hewitt was born and raised in central California along the Pacific Coast and after graduating from high school in 1987 joined the U.S. Army “to see the world.” He was then sent less than three hours away from his home to Fort Ord in Monterey, Calif., as a combat engineer in demolitions.

He spent four years of active duty in the Army and then four years in the reserves where he was assigned to Fort Campbell, Ky., with the 101st Airborne Division. He moved to Pendelton, Ind., in 1993 to begin a job with the Indiana Department of Corrections. He worked for 20 years there before being hired for a civilian position in the Warsaw Police Department in 2013.

The City of Warsaw brought back its code enforcement position in 2016 and Hewitt took on that job.

Something common he deals with is an abandoned or broken down vehicle. Someone with the street department will notice it and report it to Hewitt. He said those types of vehicles can’t be on the streets for more than 72 hours, which will be especially important soon when snow must be removed from streets.

Tall grass or weeds is another common issue dealt with. “A lot happens when things are overgrown,” he said. “It is important to take care of your property because it affects the property values of neighbors.”

Poorly maintained roofs causing leaks, faulty toilets with leaks causing damage, faulty furnaces not working and a lack of heat are more common problems he deals with. “I have seen some people using their ovens for heat,” he said.

City codes allow more electrical outlets in homes and there are more things needing that power. Frayed extension cords or overloading extension cords can be a problem and create fire hazards.

Hewitt said he prefers to educate people on city codes and give people time to comply instead of being punitive immediately. For an example, 10 days are allowed to fix a lawnmower.

“Eight out of 10 times the problem gets resolved the first time,” he said.

Hewitt responds to complaints and also looks for other violations near the location of a complaint he is checking on. “Not to single out one person,” he said.

“We live in close proximity to others,” he commented. “You need to be a good neighbor because your property is inside the city limits and is governed by municipal codes.”

In those situations where the property owner is not being compliant even after being allowed time to comply, a code hearing is used. An independent administrative law judge, usually an attorney, is brought in for the hearing.

A few times a case can even proceed to a court hearing and be decided by a judge.

Hewitt said he gets to meet some of the nicest people in the city. “I can make people happy,” he said. “I believe I am good at conflict resolution,” noting he was a corrections officer for 20 years and had plenty of practice dealing with conflicts.

He also likes working with people and seeing tangible results.

When not working, Hewitt enjoys fishing, maintaining his own property and spending time with family. He is married to Julie and their children are Zach and Sarah.