Cape Coral considers stronger penalties for repeat code violators

CAPE CORAL, Fla.—Cape Coral is considering a new proposal that could give the city stronger legal tools to address repeat code violators. 

The city attorney may soon have the authority to take certain cases to court, potentially escalating enforcement actions.

City leaders are scheduled to discuss this new resolution tomorrow. If adopted, it would allow the city attorney, Aleksandr Boksner, to pursue lawsuits, seek injunctions, and request a judge to order immediate compliance in specific cases.

Resolution 69-26 aims to expand the city's legal options, enabling stronger court-ordered penalties. This potential change has sparked mixed reactions among residents.

"We are known for our strict code enforcement, so we're already up there, and I feel like working amicably together, and again, having a team instead of one person seems fairer, but we'll see how it works out," said one resident.

"They have to have specifics. They can't just say the code enforcement now is run by the attorney, and we can do whatever we want. You can't have free rein. There have to be rules put down," said another resident.

Supporters of the resolution see it as a step toward accountability, while critics argue that it requires clear limits. The outcome of tomorrow’s discussion may influence how Cape Coral enforces code violations going forward.