The Observation Deck

Dee Krupp wrote:

Rick Uldricks wrote:The Refuse Department does a fantastic job and when they are called they always respond quickly. The problem here is with people who consistently leave trash on their tree-lawn days, sometimes a full week before trash pick-up. Residents should not have to call the Refuse Dept. every week to have them come out and take care of these problems. I am certain that every special trip the Refuse Dept. makes to clean up after some inconsiderate person (or business) that doesn't care about what day trash pickup day is, costs the city money.

That was my thought reading your original post. It's not about having the city come and get the stuff today.....why should they have to make umteen extra number of pickups in a week because somebody isn't obeying the city's ordinance? And it most certainly is costing the city extra money....our money!

As well, it sounds as if a concern may be why the person(s) throwing the junk on the tree lawn couldn't take their own 2 minutes to call the refuse department if it is so simple (which it probably is). Once again... why is it up to others to do the right thing or argue against those who simply do not want such eyesores around?

Grace O'Malley wrote:For all the whining and hand wringing, did it ever occur to any of you to CALL THE REFUSE DEPARTMENT?

Um. What did the first reply say?

I know to call the refuse department but my LANDLORD is the one who consistantly comes on SUNDAY to dump trash out on the lawn - whether it's the trash that has been sitting in the basement for the last year or when he renovated the downstairs.

Do I need to be calling the refuse department every week????

Shouldn't he as the property owner know the rules???

It's very frustrating that I as a tenant have to educate the man!!

Am I going to have to haul away the tires when the garbage men don't take them????

I'm sure the refuse department and building department will get tired of me calling them because my landlord doesn't know the law.

Another idea. I had some help today to clean out the basement and didn't want to leave things sit on my tree lawn until Monday, my day. So I called the Refuse Department and they let me bring the trash over to them. They were very nice.

It is true that sometimes it is difficult to clean out on your particular day - so this is a nice option.

BTW, I'll confess that I do sometimes get things out a little bit earlier on Sunday especially if what I am throwing out is useful, but my children have outgrown it. There are people that will pick up what they want or need. I really appreciate that the recycling is occuring right on my own tree lawn and not filling up landfills.

The problem is with people that do what is convenient for them without regard for others...so you can tell this landlord he has other options, and I'd be willing to bet he won't utilize any of them because it will put him out. You need to hit him in his wallet...and slap him with fines. Then he might wake up!

Dee Krupp wrote:The problem is with people that do what is convenient for them without regard for others...so you can tell this landlord he has other options, and I'd be willing to bet he won't utilize any of them because it will put him out. You need to hit him in his wallet...and slap him with fines. Then he might wake up!

Dee -

You hit the nail on the head. Unless he is forced he won't take any initiative on his own.

Linda

Linda Summers wrote: Dee -

You hit the nail on the head. Unless he is forced he won't take any initiative on his own.

Linda

Exactly. Rich Naumann is a classic case...he did nothing until his residents started speaking up and the city hauled him into court.

David Lay wrote: and the city hauled him into court.

That was the key. Until enforcement becomes a priority, we will continue to have these problems.

Everyday we all drive, walk, or bike past delipidated housing, for rent signs on properties with overgrown lawns, broken up driveways.....what prevents the city from citing and prosecuting these owners? Where is the database of property owners that tracks those properties with complaints, be they criminal or property, and what is the process for determining if the problem is a slum landlord or a senior who needs help? How are those owners diffentiated and who plugs them into a system that will respond appropriately?

I would email the refuse deparment along with your council person. Really that is all that it takes. Also the council person might know the right people to talk to about speaking with the landlord. I had this problem on my street and it eventually stopped with my complaints. I know it is a pain, but sometime people are like children and they will keep doing it until they get in trouble.

Katrina

Dee Krupp commented correctly that it costs us all money when the refuse department kindly responds to trash complaints by sending a special truck and crew to pick up tree lawn garbage outside the normal schedule.

I'm not one who normally believes that our fair city needs more ordinances but: Can Lakewood send a $100 invoice to the offending party in such a case?