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Public Safety

Roundtable: Chargers Stadium Debate; Landlord Code Violations

Roundtable: Referees Stadium Argument; Landlords
Roundtable: Chargers Stadium Debate; Landlord Code Violations
Chargers' Stadium, Landlords & Health CodesHOST:Mark SauerGUESTS:Tarryn Mento, KPBS News Megan Burks, KPBS News Tony Perry, Los Angeles Times

The Chargers (Heart) The Raiders

The Chargers’ long-running quest for new digs in San Diego has suddenly turned into a proposal for joint-tenancy with the Oakland Raiders.

And if that weren't bad enough news for Charger fans, the flashy new stadium is to be in the L.A. suburb of Carson.

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Most observers believe this move, preceded by a steep rise in tension between the team and the city of San Diego, stems from the arrival in L.A. of billionaire Stan Kroenke, along with his quite viable proposal for a new stadium in Inglewood ... and, not incidentally, a team (the St. Louis Rams) to fill it with.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer had last month appointed another stadium task force to suggest a solution to the lack of a solution, but had otherwise taken a mostly hands-off approach.

He insists the task force is still on the case and will come up with a stadium result for San Diego to please all.

State's Health and Safety Code Mostly Unenforced In San Diego

The California Health and Safety Code lists many hazards that make a rental property unfit for tenants. Further, it gives local code enforcement inspectors the authority to deal with non-compliant landlords by pressing civil or criminal charges or seizing the property.

This authority is not used much in San Diego.

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Bankim Shah owns some 90 properties in San Diego and manages several apartment complexes for other owners. He is one of the area’s most egregious offenders for code-compliance complaints, even those that imperil a renter’s health or safety, such as water leaks and dampness, insect and rodent infestations and lack of smoke detectors.

City code compliance officers say state law won’t let local staff enforce the rules against infestations and mold. A 2013 law authored by State Sen. Ben Hueso says otherwise.

Is the city unwilling to make examples of bad landlords? The only time the City Attorney's office went after Shah was for renting to a medical marijuana dispensary.

But Faulconer has pledged that the city will budget more funds for code enforcers and make the problem a priority.

KPBS has created a public safety coverage policy to guide decisions on what stories we prioritize, as well as whose narratives we need to include to tell complete stories that best serve our audiences. This policy was shaped through months of training with the Poynter Institute and feedback from the community. You can read the full policy here.