1777.01 REFUSE OR DEBRIS REMOVAL.
(a) The owner, occupant or person having the charge or management of any lot or parcel of land situated within the City, whether the same be improved or unimproved, vacant or occupied, shall not permit refuse or debris to be placed on the tree lawn for collection prior to 6:00 p.m. on the evening before regular refuse collection for that property.
521.06 DUTY TO KEEP SIDEWALKS IN REPAIR AND CLEAN.
Every owner, occupant or person having charge of any tenement building, lot or land fronting upon any avenue, street, alley or other public highway of the City shall keep the entire width of such sidewalk from curb to lot line, free and clear of all earth, sand, brick, stone, rubbish, dead trees and dead branches of trees or other material which from any cause whatever shall have accumulated or may accumulate upon such sidewalk above the established grade of the same and shall also cut and remove from the sidewalk between the lot and curb line, all weeds, grass and vegetable growths that are more than four inches in height.
As for the Root, yes, it was out on time. However, refer to the second ordinance listed above. It mentions rubbish. The entire sidewalk was covered with their trash. That is not "legal". If I ever get in trouble for something, I will try saying "the city left me no choice" and I'll see what happens. What about blind people or those in wheelchairs? This is in downtown Lakewood where people walk and drunks stumble around at night. The trash people complain about it being a mess all the time. The Root has gotten multiple "letters" about the issue.
For the other two, Gorilla and Dimit, both were out well before "6:00 P.M. on the evening before regular refuse collection". I guess I will have to start getting timestamps for everything.
It's called following the law. It seems to be harder and harder for people in this city, and the rest of the world to comprehend. Yet it is so simple.
If businesses find it difficult to follow the refuse laws, perhaps they should look into getting a private service.
It's quite obvious that the pictures are really bothering some people, especially City Hall. Last time I checked, I am free to take pictures of anything on or visible from the public right-of-way. It is not illegal. It's called "freedom of movement" and "freedom of expression".
I get it though. I'm the bad guy for wanting the laws to be enforced equally across the board and for wanting to keep Lakewood nice.
For whomever complained, all they have to do is follow the law. It's very simple.
In all seriousness, someone needs to be fined for this. Perhaps the residents will be fined. That would be the ideal situation.
