Leaky pipes led to a series of more serious code violations at a Village of Suffern property with multi-family homes serving as apartment rentals this past week.

Leaky pipe leads to various code violations in overcrowded Suffern apartment complex / Photo Google Maps

Suffern Police Chief Clarke Osborn, via the department’s ever informative social media communications, told the tale of SPD officers responding to a 911 call Monday afternoon at 56 Orange Avenue regarding a major water leak. When officers arrived, they discovered broken water pipes somewhere in the building had drenched several apartments in the multi-family structure.

As Suffern police tried to sort out the damage, they determined that the property was also mired in any number of village code violations, including healthy and safety. The department contacted the village Building Department.

Suffern code enforcer Michael Stark said in LoHud that the village discovered over-crowded conditions, faulty wiring and improper use of extension cords, lack of property heating and water in several units, among other issues.

One 10′ x 10′ space was set up as a bedroom for five people.

Illegal apartment conversions are a source of concern among Rockland County and Town of Ramapo zoning and fire and safety agencies.

Chief Osborn said that Suffern takes the issue related to code violations seriously, citing cooperative relationships between departments “to attack issues like these.”

“I have always had very little patience for absentee slumlords who exploit their tenants, including children, all for a financial gain,” said Osborn. “Our building department conducts routine checks at problem locations but, unfortunately, no matter how many are done there will always be landlords who continue to abuse the system. These are the people who must be brought to Justice with maximum fines and penalties imposed.” 

According to Stark, some four families, all tenants in the buildings, were forced out by the damage and violations. All were assisted by the Rockland County Red Cross. Stark said some residents kept warm by using space heaters and stoves — there was also an over abundance of electronic products plugged into outlets and extension cords.

The property owner, Orange Avenue Properties LLC out Congers, NY, will be cited for various code violations.

On another note

The Suffern Police Department recently received a bit of coverage in its on-going pursuit of Old Man Winter for “intentionally turning Suffern into a virtual tundra over the last month.” SPD officers have apparently spotted the culprit at various locations around the village.

WANTED BY THE SUFFERN POLICE DEPARTMENT
Suspect: “Old Man Winter”: AKA “Old Frosty”
We have issued an arrest warrant for the above suspect for the charges of knowingly and intentionally turning Suffern into a virtual frozen tundra over the last month.