Last September, this newspaper published a story about the efforts of residents to improve Brown Street, which has long been considered one of the roughest neighborhoods in the city.

In that same week, residents of the neighborhood were awakening daily to see cars engulfed in flames outside their windows. An arsonist was setting cars on fire in the early morning hours.

The message was clear: While Brown Street might be coming back, it’s a long way from being a neighborhood where families can feel safe. It’s not yet rid of the crime, drug use and vandalism that have plagued it for so many years.

This week readers will find, on page one, a story about one of the obstacles neighbors are facing as they continue to improve the neighborhood – slumlords who collect rent while doing little to maintain their properties. These houses, they say, are homes to unruly tenants who drink, use illicit drugs, play loud music and vandalize the neighborhood.

The fact that people are now complaining about these houses is evidence that things are changing on Brown Street. There was a time when, feeling as though it would be futile, no one would have bothered to complain. That’s why the city, the police and Brown Street residents need to act now more than ever.

The mayor and City Council should require landlords to include language in leases that prohibits behavior that disrupts the lives of those living around them. City leaders will need to go further, however, because landlords enforce leases, and it appears some landlords aren’t interested in ensuring their tenants do not abuse their property and their neighbors.

The city should adopt ordinances that give the code enforcement officer recourse against landlords who own disorderly houses. In Portland, if police visit homes eight times in a month because of complaints, the landlords have to meet with city officials to tell them what they plan to do to correct the problems. If the problems go uncorrected, the city can take landlords to court and, in extreme cases, condemn the building. Westbrook should have that ability as well.

Police have increased their patrols along Brown Street, although some neighbors told us they’d like to see police increase their presence further. With current staffing levels, police often find it challenging to do additional patrols while covering the rest of the city. City councilors and the mayor need to make sure the police department has enough officers to do additional patrols in this neighborhood. People should not feel unsafe in their own neighborhood.

The owners of the Skybox Bar and Grill need to make sure their clients are not causing problems. They own a bar that for many years, under different ownership and a different name, did contribute to the problems. It was heartening to see the owners participating in a neighborhood cleanup recently. And, after some initial reservations, Brown Street residents supported renewing the liquor license for the bar.

Because of that support, the owners owe it to the community to continue to try to improve the neighborhood, which is ultimately in their best interest anyway. Obviously, they can’t control what patrons do once they leave the bar, but they do control the atmosphere inside and directly outside the bar.

The ultimate responsibility for this neighborhood lies with those that reside there. When people see problems or crimes, they need to report them to police so the city can take action against those responsible. People cannot allow fear or apathy to deter them from doing so. Brown Street is their community, their neighborhood and their home. They need to stand up to those who have no respect for it.

Brendan Moran, editor