There’s a new code enforcement officer in the Village of Oxford and he’s armed with a friendly smile and helpful attitude.
Meet James Sommers, 23, an Oxford Township resident hired by the village in July to enforce local ordinance codes.
Earlier this year, council and DDA budgeted $10,971 for a part-time code enforcement officer to ensure village properties are maintained at high quality levels to protect housing values and residents? health and safety.
Working 15 hours a week, Sommers is here to handle and resolve any and all code violations ranging from overgrown weeds and grass to abandoned or unlicensed vehicles to checking on building permits.
But don’t look for Sommers to enforce local codes with an iron fist or combative manner.
‘I’d rather work with you than against you,? he said.
Sommers views writing tickets and taking violators to court as an ‘extreme last resort.?
The 2000 graduate of Oxford High School would much rather ‘negotiate? with people and find out what they need to take care of situation, be it more time, financial aid or a little manpower.
‘What can I do to help you out?? is the question on Sommers? mind when he encounters a violation.
Sommers said he never introduces himself by saying ‘I got a complaint? because that starts things off in a ‘negative? way.
He prefers to initiate things by saying, ‘I got a request to check this out. Someone’s concerned about it.?
From there Sommers said he listens to their side of things because ‘there’s no sense in condemning them from the beginning.?
Then Sommers asks, ‘What do you need to take care of it? How long do you need? What can I do to help you out??
‘My main goal is to help people out, especially the ones that can’t help themselves,? he said.
Although his face may not be familiar to residents, some may recognize Sommers? voice.
Since November 2001, he’s worked for the village police as a part-time dispatcher while attending Oakland Community College, where he’s pursuing an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice Law Enforcement.
Once he’s earned his degree, Sommers wishes to attend OCC’s Police Academy and become an officer.
Although he enjoys being a dispatcher and learning that aspect of law enforcement, Sommers said being the code enforcement officer gives him ‘more exposure? to the community and the opportunity to ‘see people face-to-face instead of over the phone.?
Prior to becoming an employee of the village police, Sommers learned the ‘ins and outs? of the local department as an OHS student.
Beginning in his sophomore year, when his family moved here from Clarkston, and until 1999, Sommers was part of the ‘Explorers,? a group of Oxford students who met regularly with Oxford police officers to get an insider’s view of local law enforcement at work.
Wearing police-style uniforms, the Explorers did everything from riding along with officers on patrol to engaging in law enforcement training, according to Sommers.
‘It was almost like an internship,? he said.
Sommers? desire to become a police officer was sparked in the second or third grade when an Oakland County Sheriff’s deputy with the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program visited his class and made a definite impression on him.
Later, Sommers learned his family has quite an extensive background in law enforcement with relatives serving in the Waterford Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
His great-uncle was the former head director of Children’s Village in Pontiac while his grandfather was a constable for Springfield Township.
‘It runs in the family, but I didn’t know it when I decided this is what I wanted to do,? Sommers said.
When it comes right down to it, James Sommers? motivation to protect and serve the public comes from one simple desire ? ‘I want to try to make the community a better place.?
‘I really like Oxford.?
To reach Sommers contact the village police at (248) 628-2581 or e-mail him at codeofficer@villageofoxford.org.