IS IT OKAY NOW TO BREAK THE LAW?

Since they’re letting people out of jails and prisons because of Covid-19, does it mean they’re free to break the law? Obviously, not. But now, police seem less likely to care about lawbreakers who defy civil code. While out for a walk. I saw a homeowner pour gasoline on a pile of wood and light a fire in his backyard. This sent huge clouds of black smoke billowing out across the neighborhood. But when I called the police to report this code violation they seemed annoyed. “We’ll check on it when we have time,” the dispatcher said. Obviously, he didn’t welcome my call.

In these difficult times, I can understand that first responders are dealing with far more urgent situations. However, my city has always been lax about code enforcement. If you call to report a neighbor’s violation, the police take your name and it goes on your record. Twenty five years ago, I called the police about a neighbor’s barking dog keeping my family up all night. That’s still on my record. I guess it means I’m a chronic complainer. Also, they tell the violator that “a neighbor” complained about them, which doesn’t make for a friendly situation. That’s probably why most people hesitate to complain about barking dogs, unmowed lawns and wood smoke from burning fires, to name a few.

The police department seems to forget that Code Enforcement is an important function of local governments to accomplish community goals. Code Enforcement helps empower the citizens of their community to create and maintain safe, healthy and attractive living and working environments.

The fact is that breathing in wood smoke can be irritating if not downright harmful. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fine particles of wood smoke “can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose and illnesses such as bronchitis.”

Bonfires in city backyards pollute city air — Is it okay now to break the law? Wood smoke pollutes city air and is prohibited by most civil codes.

These fine particles are also linked to premature deaths. The EPA advises that anyone with congestive heart failure, angina, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema or asthma should steer clear of wood smoke in general. Children’s exposure to wood smoke should also be limited, as their respiratory systems are still developing and they breathe more air (and air pollution) .

I know, the coronavirus is a much more serious threat than wood smoke, But on the other hand, if a police officer stops to check on someone’s illegal fire, at least they aren’t walking into an infectious indoor environment.

Just because we’re all preoccupied with Covid-19, it shouldn’t give others a free pass to violate civil codes. Or does the pandemic mean they can break the law, and get away with it?

January 13, 2020January 13, 2020

CITY MAKES LONELY CHICKENS THE LAW

Our city council recently passed a law allowing chickens within the city limits. I grew up in the days when most people had “country cousins.” When we visited the farm, I can remember chickens wandering all over the property. They had their own house, but they only laid eggs and slept there. I don’t remember anything very appealing about them, except for the food they produced. And of course, there were always roosters chasing the hens. But now, city chickens must remain celibate. No roosters allowed. The city makes lonely chickens the law. That seems a little mean spirited, to me.

If you want to keep urban chickens, you can't have a rooster — If you want to keep urban chickens, you won’t be able to have a rooster.

Free range chickens provide lots of fresh eggs, if you don’t mind cleaning off the poop. They also provide chicken meat. Did you ever witness the killing of a chicken? I did, many times. My aunt was a tough farm wife with no mercy. The chicken would be strung up on a clothesline before she wrung its neck. At that point, I closed my eyes and ran away. The next time I saw the ill fated bird was after it had been dipped in boiling water and the feathers plucked. At last, the hen was cut up and coated with flour before frying. Yes, it was super delicious. But I can’t imagine anyone wanting to set up a chicken slaughterhouse in their own home.

What worries me most about the new chicken law is code enforcement. Who is going to check every chicken coop for roosters? Or make sure there are only 8 chickens in a pen? Roosters wake you in the morning but hens also make noise with their plucking.

Code enforcement in our city is an exercise in futility and hostility. First, we only have two code enforcement officers, so they don’t get around much. If you turn in someone who doesn’t cut their grass, the officer informs them that a neighbor has complained. Lets face it, an irresponsible neighbor is typically hostile if confronted. . When he finds out you’ve reported him, you’re apt to feel some repercussion. So, it’s seldom that anyone turns in a complaint. Consequently, the culprit’s weed filled, overgrown yard is a blight on the neighborhood Now, if that same next door neighbor decides to raise chickens, we’re in for a long, hot, stinky, noisy summer. And code enforcement will not be of much help.

Urban chickens also attract unwanted intruders. Raccoons, mice, and possums will want to get at the chickens and their feed. Since we live across from a park, we have enough of those critters invading our property already.

And what about the vegetarians who might live nearby? A yard full of chickens will certainly be an unwelcome sight.

I can’t imagine what convinced our councilmen to vote 5-2 in favor of the new ordinance. What will be next? Pigs? Dairy cows? There’s a reason most metropolitan areas don’t allow farm animals within city limits.

Sadly, the ordinance has already passed. Our city has made lonely chickens the law.

July 29, 2019July 29, 2019

WHAT IF YOU DON’T MOW YOUR GRASS?

Most people who live in a house with a yard mow their lawns.. But what about those who won’t? in my city, lax code enforcement procedures actually encourage lazy property owners. The officers are supposed to patrol the city and find violations. But in fact, they sit back and wait to receive a complaint before taking any action. Shouldn’t they be more aggressive? What if you don’t mow your grass.?

MANY CITIES IMPOSE STEEP FINES ON THOSE WHO DON’T MOW THEIR LAWNS

If you contact Code Enforcement here about someone’s overgrown lawn, the department will issue a citation which says they’ve received a complaint. This creates a tense situation between neighbors. Consequently, very few people will call to complain about their neighbor’s yard. Anyone driving around our town will see numerous empty houses and vacant lots with sky-high grass and weeds. One housing developer, located directly across from a beautiful park, is allowed to let tall weeds proliferate on acres of land.

Other towns have more pride in the appearance of their city. This year, In Dunedin Florida, one man was fined $30,000 for not mowing his lawn

https://www.tampabay.com/pinellas/dunedin-fined-a-man-30000-for-tall-grass-now-the-city-has-foreclosed-on-his-home-20190508/

Many cities impose fines, liens, and even foreclosure on property owners who refuse to mow their grass.

https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/landscaping/fines-liens-foreclosure-refuse-mow-lawn/

Along our street, one able bodied homeowner has been reported to Code Enforcement more than once for letting weeds and grass grow way beyond the allowed 8 inches. Obviously, this devalues all of the surrounding property. You would think this individual would be on probation, or on a list of problem homeowners. But apparently, the agency has no follow up procedures. This homeowner continues to violate city codes –mowing only when he chooses– with no apparent repercussions or penalties imposed.

If code enforcement officers in this town can’t get up from their desks, they should at least make it easier for those who complain. Anyone should feel free to report a problem anonymously, without fearing reprisals from an angry neighbor.

You would think the Economic Development department might take a stand on lax code enforcement. A city that takes no pride in its appearance isn’t appealing to new business. In fact, our city has been steadily losing population for decades.

There are times when a homeowner is going through a bad time due to illness, disability or family problems. In this case, kindly neighbors might volunteer to help out with the yard work. Most would be glad to do whatever it takes to maintain the appearance of their neighborhood.

Lax code enforcement is bad for the city, bad for economic development, and bad for homeowners who spend money and effort to maintain their property.