City officials say they’ve handed out about 60 warning notices to property owners who failed to clear their sidewalks after this week’s snow storm.
Property Standard Inspection Supervisor Jeff Murphy says typically about a quarter to a third of those who get the notices posted on their buildings fail to respond within 24 hours and are issued tickets.
Mr. Murphy said he and four other inspectors posted notices starting on Thursday and by Friday were preparing tickets for the violators who hadn’t cleaned up.
He said a lot of the problems he observed were along Howard Street, including at the shopping center just east of McCormick Boulevard and at the Dairy Queen just west of Ridge Avenue.
He said the inspectors put their greatest emphasis on commercial properties and multi-family residential buildings. He added that the city’s Human Relations Department has a program to help match elderly residents who may have difficulty shoveling their own walks with volunteers willing to help them out.
Penalties for failing to clear walks after a snow storm start at a $75 fine, with higher penalties for repeat offenses.