Address ordinance proposed

If you don't have your address visible on your home, you may have to change that soon.

There is a proposal on the table for the city to create an ordinance that would require residential addresses be visible in the event of emergency.

"It's not a notice of intent, it's just a request from the police department," said City Clerk Joan Martinez-Terry. "We're not trying to fine people, it's more of a public safety issue."

The issue will be brought forth by the Portales Police Department to the Portales City Council tonight at their bi-monthly meeting.

Portales Fire Department Chief Gary Nuckols said it has been an issue for his emergency personnel in the past.

"It can delay time if we can't locate a home," Nuckols said. "We try to guess but it certainly can delay us by a minute or two if we get the wrong address."

Nuckols added that they know the area well in the event of an emergency, as they often use the homes nearby to locate a house but it's still an issue.

"I just hope people understand that," Nuckols said. "It certainly could save time in the event of an emergency. It's a great plan and great idea, I just hope we can enforce it. It's up to the homeowners."

Martinez-Terry says there is no current municipal law related to this issue. She added that if such an ordinance was created, it is not the city's responsibility to paint addresses, that it would be something a homeowner would have to do themselves.