Feb. 14 marks two years since Rockland's Office of Buildings and Codes began its work as inspectors and code enforcers in the Village of Spring Valley. 

"We completed three years' worth of inspections in two years," said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas. 

He says they've received 500 complaints of property issues from the public since their inception.

Markunas adds, "We're gaining compliance slowly but at the same time, people are recognizing they have an outlet and they can call us for help."

In the last two years, News 12 was told they've done over 2,000 inspections, found more than 12,400 alleged violations and collected nearly $500,000 in fines. 

In 2021, New York state ordered Rockland to take over the villages responsibilities months after a deadly fire at an assisted living facility that killed two men, including firefighter Jared Lloyd in March earlier that year. 

"Some problems take time to solve," said Rockland County Executive Ed Day. "I pledge to everybody we will continue to work as hard as we can to make sure the people of spring valley and our first responders also, are as safe can be."

Last July, Village Mayor Alan Simon requested the authority be returned to them. 

News 12 was told the state will decide when Spring Valley regains control. On Wednesday, Mayor Simon declined to comment and referred News 12 to a village trustee that News 12 has not heard back from.

The New York State Department of State tells News 12 in a statement, "Rockland County has been designated to administer and enforce the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code and State Energy Conservation Construction Code within the Village of Spring Valley as of Feb.14, 2022.

The Department of State has been working together with Rockland County and the Village of Spring Valley to ensure that the Codes have been administered and enforced in a due and proper manner.  As of Feb. 14, 2024, the County has completed all periodic fire safety and property maintenance inspections of buildings required to be inspected annually and buildings required to be triennially."