A municipality never should have to launch a wide-scale crackdown on blight and other code violations. Large-scale, difficult-to-fix problems develop because of long-term lack of vigilance by those charged with ordinance enforcement — as has occurred here on the housing front.

Periodically, all municipalities should examine what is and isn’t being done regarding ordinance compliance and take steps to address the problems. That applies to the general condition of properties as well as other nuisances such as junk vehicles. It extends to ensuring that property owners comply with ordinances governing such things as garbage collection.

That said, city residents who keep their properties well maintained welcomed the news over the weekend that Butler city officials haven’t relaxed their war — begun last year — on blight.

A Butler Eagle article in Sunday’s edition reported that negligent property owners continue to be taken to task for allowing their properties to deteriorate.

Equally notable was the article’s report that about a dozen people had contacted the city about possibly buying some of the blighted properties, presumably to repair them and make them livable once more.

The way to address blighted conditions and protect the value of nearby homes is to maintain the anti-blight pressure. And, that’s what the case of Michelle and Kevin Zang, now of Portland, Maine, is all about.

Thanks to the city’s determination to fight blight, the Zangs, on Jan. 11, were convicted in Butler County Court of 93 city code violations, 82 of them property maintenance violations. Each of those counts carries a $300 fine.

Those interested in which properties are targeted can go online to www.cityofbutler.org and click on “Houses to Homes.” Not only does the list provide blighted properties’ addresses, but also the owners of record.

More than two-thirds of the 33 properties currently on the blight list are owned by either the Zangs or James A. Cogley of Butler. However, that list doesn’t constitute all of the city’s blight. In all, officials estimate that at least 125 properties are in a blighted condition.

As reluctant as some nearby residents might be to inform officials about deteriorated properties, because of potential negative ramifications with neighbors, it’s in their long-term best interests to do so — because, sooner or later, they and their properties are likely to be adversely affected by that blight.

The city should continue to keep its anti-blight battle in the forefront with regular reports to the community. And, just as important, it should maintain its willingness to go to court, when necessary, to force compliance.

At the same time, it must keep pressure on other fronts that contribute to blight — such as the drug problem. Some people move to Butler with the sole intent of expanding the illegal-drug scourge. Those individuals have no loyalty toward the city and oftentimes are responsible for trashing what once were respectable properties.

This city’s blight didn’t happen overnight, and today city leaders are learning how much hard work is needed to erase years of prior leaders’ neglect.