Solutions to Common Problems

 Dealing With Graffiti

You are responsible for maintaining the property you own or rent, including walls or areas in front or back of it. According to City Code §16-30, this means you are responsible for cleaning graffiti from that property. Hedrick Acres is home to Neighbors Organized to Abolish Graffiti (NoTAG), a volunteer group that can advise you on effective ways to remove graffiti, and in some cases may be able to assist you with graffiti removal.

The City still has a limited program of graffiti removal. If you see graffiti in the neighborhood, you may report it using one or more of the following methods:

• Report Graffiti using SeeClickFix, a website that is monitored by the City of Tucson. The SeeClickFix widget is located at the bottom of this page.
• Via the City Of Tucson Graffiti Removal Report Form.
• By telephone by calling 792-CITY

Please note that you should report each instance of graffiti separately, as a work order must be generated for each one. If you report multiple locations at once, they may not be properly translated into individual work orders. All graffiti removed by the City is photographed and entered into a database that the Tucson Police Department can access for its enforcement efforts.

If you see someone in the act of tagging, call 9-1-1. Other reports of graffiti will be given lower priority, but if there is a significant tagging event covering a large area with lots of property damage a report should be made to TPD. As time and manpower allows they will send an officer out to photograph it and make a report.

 Property Code Issues

You are responsible for maintaining the property you own or rent. You are also responsible for maintaining the grass and weeds in the abutting sidewalks, street easements, and one half of the width of the alley that abuts your property. Maintaining the area means that it should be kept free of weeds, litter, and debris and should not present an eyesore.

Weeds

Overgrown weeds and grass are unsightly, can produce allergies and harbor rodents and other pests. Per §16-13 of the Tucson Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, it is illegal to allow lawn grass to grow beyond 6 inches in height and weeds over 10 inches in height.

Junk and Debris

Properties must be maintained to be free of accumulated junk, litter, debris and refuse. Such materials must be disposed of properly and may not be left in the yard or on abutting sidewalks, alleys or easements or illegally dumped on public or private property.

Outside storage in residential areas must comply with the following conditions specified in the City of Tucson Land Use Code (section 3.2.5.1):

• Items can only be stored in the rear or side yards. They are not permitted in the front yard.
• Storage is limited to a maximum of 25% of the total lot area.
• Items must be screened from the street by an opaque barrier such as a fence or wall that is a minimum of 5 feet in height or in an enclosed structure.

If there is a property that has issues that need to be addressed, the best course of action is to politely talk to your neighbor about it. Most likely he or she will be happy to address the issue. If, however, you are unable to do so and need to report a property code issue, you can do so by contacting the City of Tucson by phone at (520) 791-5843 or online using the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Property Complaints form.

 Reporting Litter

Excessive litter on private property will usually fall under property code issues and can be reported via the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Property Complaints form. However if there is litter in an abandoned lot, public space, or other area you can report it using the SeeClickFix service, available at the bottom of this page.

Abandoned Shopping Carts

Arizona state law makes it illegal to remove shopping carts from a store's premises (fines can be imposed). Stores have a legal obligation to retrieve carts that have been abandoned within three business days. Identify what store the cart belongs to and call the store directly or contact the Arizona Cart Removal (ARC) for those stores that use their services.

The stores in and bordering the Hedrick Acres Neighborhood you must call directly are:

• Ace Hardware: 325-2432
• Albertson's: 321-1212
• Family Dollar: 408-4934
• Food City: 292-3256
• Staples: 326-0611
• Wal-Mart: 292-2992

The following stores in and near Hedrick Acres use ACR. You can report abandoned carts for these stores online at afmaaz.org/acrcontact.asp or by calling (800) 843-2278:

• Safeway's
• Fry's

 Abandoned or Junked Cars

On Private Property

Per §15-16 of the Tucson Neighborhood Preservation Ordinance, inoperable motor vehicles, trailers, or camper shells which exhibit one more of the following conditions is considered "Junked:"

• Wrecked
• Dismantled
• Abandoned
• Inoperable
• Scrapped
• Stripped
• Cannot be safely operated

A junked vehicle is permitted to be stored on a property provided it is stored within:

• A garage or permanent building constructed of opaque materials without holes or gaps other than doors or windows.
• A carport with an opaque car cover designed for that purpose and that completely covers the vehicle (no tarps, bed sheets, etc.)
• Any legal barrier (such as a fence or wall) at least 5 feet high, constructed of opaque materials without holes or gaps that completely encloses the vehicle. The barrier must be free from disrepair and deterioration and may not be constructed or covered with materials not normally used for that purpose (such as pallets or tarps). The barrier must be properly anchored to ensure there is no danger of failure or collapse.

Use the City of Tucson Housing and Community Development Property Complaints form to report a junked vehicle.

On Public Property

You can use the AZ Attorney General - Stolen Car Check to search a licence plate or Vehicle Identification Number to see if a vehicle has been reported stolen. If it has, call 9-1-1.

To report an abandoned or junked vehicle that is parked on a public street, call ParkWise at 791-5071.

To report an abandoned or junked vehicle that is parked on public property, call the City of Tucson at 791-4444 or call 9-1-1.

 Lost & Found Pets

If you have lost or found an animal, check the Humane Society of Southern Arizona's Lost & Found page for tips on reuniting the pet with its owner. Also, contact us! The Hedrick Acres Neighborhood has a Neighborhood Watch email list that has hundreds of subscribers in this and adjoining neighborhoods. We'll help get the word out!

 Nuisance Animals

Excessive Noise From Animals or Birds

Pima County Code 6.04.160 states it is unlawful for animals to be noisy to the extent they disturb the peace. Usually the best course of action is to politely talk with the animal's owner. Usually they are not aware it is an issue and will do their best to address the situation.

Failing that, call the Pima Animal Care Center at (520) 743-7550 or check out http://www.pimaanimalcare.org/phs/an_code.asp for more info about codes pertaining to responsible pet ownership. In order for Animal Control to help, they must have an address and times when the dogs are barking. Instructions for filing a noise complaint are at http://www.pimaanimalcare.org/phs/an_cp.asp.

Animal Waste

For issues with accumulated animal waste on a property or an animal leaving waste on the property you own or rent, politely talk with the animal's owner to resolve the issue. If that is not successful, check The Pima Animal Care Center's Animal Waste Complaint Process.

Feral Animals

To report feral animals, contact The Pima Animal Care Center at (520) 243-5900 . For feral cat colonies, The Humane Society of Southern Arizona advocates a Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programe as the most effective & humane way to control feral cat populations. For more information, see their Trap / Neuter / Return page.

Wild Animals

We live in a city in the midst of one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. Despite being in an urban setting, you may see coyotes, rabbits, snakes, birds of prey, and other fauna within our neighborhood. Be conscious of the hours when snakes and other dangerous animals may be active; and never allow your pets to run free! The most pressing concern to domesticated animals is coyotes. If you see a coyote near your home, don't ignore it. This may cause it to lose its natural fear of people, which can eventually lead to aggressive behavior.

To discourage a coyote, immediately:

• Make loud noises.
• Shout and bang pots and pans or rattle empty soda cans with pebbles in it (coyote shaker).
• Wave your hands or objects like sticks and brooms.
• Throw small stones or cans.
• Spray the coyote with a hose.
• Use a commercial repellent like Mace, if necessary, on bold animals that refuse to leave.

Unless it is an emergency, DO NOT kill a wild animal. Shooting firearms within city limits can carry felony charges; except in a case where livestock has been killed, a valid hunting license is usually required to kill predators such as coyotes; and state law bans firing a gun within a quarter-mile of an occupied residence or building while taking wildlife, unless you have the owner's permission.

If you feel a wild animal presents a threat (e.g., aggressive, approaching a person, biting, or growling and snarling) call the AZ Game & Fish Department Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at (520) 628-5376. After hours and weekends, a radio dispatcher is available at (623) 236-7201.

See The Arizona Game & Fish Deprtment's Living With Coyotes Brochure (PDF).

 Reporting Potholes

The City of Tucson will address potholes and other road hazards on a timely basis. If you need to report a pothole or other road hazard, you can do so using the SeeClickFix service, available at the bottom of this page.

 Excessive Noise

If excessive noise is because of an animal, please see the NUISANCE ANIMALS section of this page.

City Ordinances limit noise levels to 70 decibels from 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and 62 decibels from 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. with exceptions for construction, repair, remodeling, demolition, drilling, wood cutting or excavation work conducted between sunrise and 8:00 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, except legal holidays. Also, a person may engage in such activities at that person's residence between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Sundays or legal holidays.

Additionally City Ordinance prohibits the following activities if they produce plainly audible sound beyond the property line of the property on which they are conducted and they disturb the public peace and quiet:

• Noise that persists for a period of at least fifteen (15) minutes from stereos, televisions, instruments, etc.
• Noise in connection with the loading or unloading of any vehicle
• Shouting, yelling, screaming

Usually the best course of action is to politely talk with the person making the noise. Usually they will not be aware it is an issue and will do their best to address the situation. If this is not possible, you can call 9-1-1 to file a noise complaint.

 Telemarketers

Telemarketers may contact you unless your phone number is on the National Do Not Call Registry. Placing your home and mobile numbers on this registry will stop most calls. You can report telemarketing, prerecorded messages, Do-Not-Call Registry violations, and junk faxes using the FCC: File a Complaint form.

 Suspicious People/Activity

If you witness suspicious behavior, call 9-1-1!

The simple rule to calling 9-1-1 is this: When in doubt, err on the side of caution! 9-1-1 is NOT "just for emergencies." Call 9-1-1:

• To report accidents, injuries, or fire
• Whenever police, fire, or ambulance assistance is required immediately
• To report gas leaks or downed power lines
• If you hear gunshots
• If you see or suspect domestic violence
• You see suspicious activity:
  • People looking in cars or windows
  • Strangers loitering where you need to go
  • Vehicles you don't recognizing "cruising" the neighborhood
  • Questionable solicitors or other people knocking on doors
• You would like a "welfare check" on someone who typically communicates with you and does not respond after several contacts.
• You have a concern regarding animals (Animal Control responds to complaints regarding excessive barking, lost/found, injured or abused animals.)
• You have a "gut feeling" that something isn't right.

You know the personality of your neighborhood better than the law enforcement agencies that serve us. Trust your instincts.

You can also let your neighbors know of suspicious behavior or activity using the Neighborhood Watch Report Form.

 For Emergency Crime

Call 9-1-1. Tips for making an effective 9-1-1 call — what you should say, what to expect, and more — are on our How to Call 9-1-1 page.

Once the emergency has been resolved, let your neighbors know by using the Neighborhood Watch Report Form.

 For Non-Emergency Crime

For non-emergency crime, you can still dial 9-1-1. Additionally you can use the following non-emergency numbers:

• TPD non-emergency number: 791-4444
• TPD Operations Division West (Hedrick Acres is in Sector 5): 791-4467

Once the situation has been resolved, let your neighbors know by using the Neighborhood Watch Report Form.

 For Other Issues

If you are having a problem with an issue not addressed here, drop us a line. We'll do our best to point you in the right direction.