Cops want Lynn home numbers to be visible

LYNN – A police dispatcher answers a 911 call and asks the person on the line for the address of the emergency. The house or building number is quickly broadcast to the responding cruisers, but finding the address isn’t always easy ? especially at night or in foul weather.Since time is usually of the essence, a delay can prove tragic. That’s why Lynn police are asking residents to clearly display their street number.”The lack of street numbering or improper street numbering presents difficulties to emergency personnel responding to addresses throughout the city,” said Police Lt. William Sharpe, referring to police, firefighters and medical technicians.According to Sharpe, a city ordinance enacted in 1991 requires Lynn residents to properly number their homes or businesses. “The ordinance mandates that all property owners within the city display street numbers on their home or business. It also states that these numbers be at least three inches in height and be visible from the street.”The ordinance also provides for a written warning and a seven-day grace period, after which fines of $50 can be imposed for each day not in compliance.”Basically this is to benefit all the emergency services,” said Sharpe, explaining that the problem became a topic of discussion among the Police Department’s patrol officers. “Several recent incidents had a delayed response because of a lack of street numbers,” Sharpe said. “It becomes more problematic in cities, in urban environments, where the population and the housing density is larger.”The ordinance does not stipulate where the address numbers be affixed.”We’re looking for voluntary compliance,” said Sharpe. “If it continues to be a serious problem, there may be some enforcement action.”