PLATTSBURGH -- For City Police Officer Charles D. Scott, there seems to be something different to do every day.

Scott serves as the Plattsburgh Housing Authority community police officer.

His duties include providing background checks on potential tenants, responding to problem calls and working with kids.

"It can be a very busy position, but it is also pretty rewarding because you can have an impact on people's lives."

Scott covers all of the Housing Authority's units in the South End and Center City.

He works from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday though Friday, except for the summer, when he is on the job from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A big part of Scott's job is clearing potential tenants. He does criminal history checks on anyone over the age of 16.

Anyone with a violent or drug-related arrest within the past five years is automatically ineligible.

Scott said he finds something on applicants' records about 25 to 30 percent of the time.

But if would-be tenants have proven their worth despite previous brushes with the law, they could still have a chance.

"Sometimes people make mistakes, but if someone is honest and has shown they can be good for 10 years, then we can give them a chance," Scott said.

When he is not doing background checks, he is often responding to complaints.

"They are mostly neighbor issues. But I try to be proactive and deal with them before they come to a head."

Scott said the number of complaints within the Housing Authority units is probably less than the rest of the city.

"I know the projects do get a bad rap, but there are a lot of family people here who work hard every day."