A nuisance ordinance set to go before the City Council this month aims to make it easier for the city to go after problem properties, such as drug houses and blighted businesses -- like the now closed Hillcrest Motel in the Dimond district.

City Councilwoman Jean Quan (District 4), council President Ignacio De La Fuente (District 5) and City Attorney John Russo drafted the measure.

"The days of drug dealers and drug houses being able to skirt the law and get away with intimidating a neighborhood will soon be over," De La Fuente said.

The ordinance is expected to be considered by the Public Safety Committee on Oct. 14 and the City Council on Oct. 23.

It should streamline current city laws to make it easier for the city to order landlords to maintain their properties, instead of having to pursue the costly alternative of going to court, according to Arturo M. Sanchez, a policy analyst with Quan's office.

The new ordinance also could make it easier for health inspectors, police officers, the City Attorney's office, and city staff enforcing building codes to share information, Quan said.

A second ordinance may be brought before the council next month, Sanchez said, which is similar to a Los Angeles law that allows police to document problems within 1,000 feet of a problem property.

City officials like Quan are pushing for new laws in light of problems in and around the Hillcrest Motel and similar properties.

The motel, which closed Sept. 8, had raised the ire of residents and business owners in the area for nearly 25 years, she said. They complained about prostitution, drug dealing and loitering at MacArthur Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue.

"Hillcrest (motel) is a symbol of the worst in the area," Quan said.

In District 4, which includes most of the hills as well as the Laurel and Dimond districts, police and neighbors are concerned about at least three homes where drug dealing may be taking place, Quan said.

"Sometimes we can prove public nuisance before proving drug dealing," Quan said.

The new ordinance could also help the community reduce violent crime, particularly homicide.

"A lot of the murders are related to drugs," Quan said. "If we can shut down some of these problem properties, I think we can reduce violent crime in the city."

Reach Ana Facio Contreras at 510-339-4506 or acontreras@cctimes.com.