Lexington Code Enforcement explores AI to identify complaint 'hotspots,' target enforcement

During May 5th's Social Services and Public Safety Committee, Councilmembers got an update on the activities of Lexington's Code Enforcement Department, including fresh details about how it wants to use artificial intelligence to guide enforcement.

One of Code Enforcement's goals this year is to implement more "data-driven" enforcement to improve tracking dashboards for complaints, response times, and outcomes, Code Enforcement Director Oliver Lee Steele told committee members.

"It is going to use AI to help us use the data that we already have in Salesforce to identify hotspots and maybe proactively work those areas in town, rather than reacting," Steele said.

Steele described it as a collaborative effort with local nonprofit BUILD and the University of Kentucky.

As Lexington has grown over the years, the "old-fashioned way" of relying on word of mouth to identify problematic areas for Code Enforcement to address is no longer cutting it, Steele told Councilmembers.

The department does proactive enforcement, but "we’re not hitting nearly the numbers that are going to affect the community like I’d like," Steele said.

What AI-assisted code enforcement looks like

According to Steele, the department is looking at using AI to parse data it has on hand and identify problem areas or enforcement "hotspots" around town.

"This would actually give us hard data on what is happening in an area, and then we could move staff response that way and start working," Steele said.

The department is still exploring uses for the technology, but Steele said it could be used to identify "certain words or certain problem types," and recognize patterns for staff to act on. Steele said he already has some districts in mind.

Steele hoped the approach could be helpful in proactively identifying problem areas around town, referencing a recent balcony collapse at some apartments on Augusta Drive.

Code Enforcement has seen some success with targeted enforcement, Steele said, mentioning the Cardinal Valley neighborhood as an example. Last year, an apartment complex there was the site of a deadly gas leak that displaced residents and killed a 62-year-old man.

The department is exploring other new tactics – including a daily, escalating fine – to bring out-of-state rental companies into compliance. In severe cases, such as the Cardinal Valley apartment complex, it's condemning buildings.

Responding to Steele's presentation, Vice Mayor Dan Wu said he welcomed using data to improve government processes. Wu is also working with BUILD and Lexington's Housing Advocacy and Community Development Commissioner Commissioner Charlie Lanter to improve how the city tracks and presents code violations.

District 11 Councilmember Jennifer Reynolds asked about how Code Enforcement can expand its efforts to improve poorly maintained housing in other areas of Lexington. Steele said he sees data-driven code enforcement as a potential tool to inform where the department's staff resources are directed.

Over time, targeted enforcement has led to more out-of-compliance corporate landlords "selling and moving out," Steele said.