KINGSTON - The Kingston City Council Tuesday evening approved the Nuisance Abatement Law drafted by the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office and County Court earlier this year, in an effort to crack down on drug dealing and help clean up the city’s image.

The county introduced the law in March to help streamline the court system in landlord-tenant disputes, and make landlords more responsible for the actions of their tenants, and any activity on their property.

City of Kingston officials said the law will create a much-needed boost in the city’s crime-fighting efforts, and passing it was a “no-brainer.”

“This Nuisance Abatement Law is essentially saying there is an enforcement mechanism when your neighborhood begins to suffer from some form of urban blight, whether it is criminal activity that is being allowed or being subsidized by a landlord, or civil complaints,” said Alderman Thomas Hoffay, a Democrat from the 2nd Ward.  “I think this is the beginning of a process where there will be strong dialogue with the neighborhood groups that say ‘we need a stronger enforcement on this issue’ or ‘on this street’ so that our streets aren’t dying one by one by one.”

Majority Leader William Reynolds called the law “a beautiful creation.”

Reynolds applauded former District Attorney Donald Williams, Ulster County Undersheriff Frank Faluotico, and Kingston City Police Chief Gerald Keller for putting together a system to challenge persistent troublemakers who are wreaking havoc on neighborhoods.

“We’re talking about loud partying, and things that carry on, and drive everybody crazy.  We’re talking about a tool that will hold everyone accountable and give them a means where a hearing process and speed that process which will adjudicate these kinds of cases,” said Reynolds.

As part of the new law, a special panel of appointed experts will hear the cases and try to solve the problem before they become criminal matters, freeing up the county courts.  Those who do not show for this hearing could be subject to hefty fines, and, in some cases, property seizure or arrest.