Rockland County is cracking down on bad landlords, thanks to a safe housing initiative.

A year after it launched the Rockland Codes Initiative, officials say it's working.

The county says it has had an increase in complaints since it instituted the web-based service last year, resulting in more inspections and more violations issued to landlords who were putting tenants and first responders at risk.

Officials say the numbers show the effect of the new enforcement. Fines have increased eightfold from $53,000 last year to over $453,000 this year.

Inspections are also up 50 percent and hundreds of more complaints are coming in.