MARS — Borough council has written a first draft of a “disruptive property” ordinance which would allow the borough to take action against residences that are the site of repeated police visits.

The ordinance was first suggested at a council meeting on March 18 by borough police chief Mark Lint in response to a repeated series of disturbances at an apartment complex on Hook Street. The first draft was discussed just over a month later, at the meeting held on Monday night, March 21.

As written so far, according to borough council member Brad Price, the ordinance would apply to all properties in the borough, not just rental properties. Price also said the penalties included in the ordinance would take effect if a tenant were to commit a third “disruptive conduct” offense in a 60-day period.

According to Mayor Gregg Hartung, the ordinance cannot go through the process of advertisement and adoption until solicitor Christopher Reese returns from vacation, and that there is a possibility that the ordinance could be changed in the intervening time.

“I don’t think it will be (changed) from what the response has been,” Hartung said. “It still has a possibility of being changed, but it looks like from how the council responded to the first draft it most likely won’t, but we’ll just have to wait.”

Buffalo Township enacted a similar ordinance in September 2024. Other municipalities in the immediate area, such as the City of Butler and Carnegie borough, Allegheny County, feature similar “disruptive property” ordinances, except those allow for a one-year period instead of two months.