NORTH BEND, Neb. (AP) — A nonprofit organization is helping small northeast Nebraska towns deal with nuisance properties fairly.

North Bend and Scribner both participate in the program offered by the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District.

The nonprofit surveys properties in the towns and identifies any issues such as tall weeds, inoperable vehicles or broken gutters. Then city officials approve any nuisance properties and owners are given time to fix the problem.

North Bend city clerk Theresa Busse says this system eliminates property owner concerns about being targeted, and it identifies problems systematically. Previously, the city was just responding to complaints.

The Norfolk-based nonprofit offers the program to offer communities in its 17-county area.