Spring-cleaning is about to ascend to a new level of importance as Marion Police Department plans to start enforcing city ordinance violations related to nuisance items in residents’ yards.
Officer Duane McCarty said ordinance enforcement was put on hold because of cold weather, but he wrote up about 60 nuisance letters since last summer.
“Junky cars or demo derby cars that sit forever in the same place with grass growing up around them are easily the most popular complaint,” McCarty said. “Junk in yards is a close second.”
Police also received multiple complaints about yards with too much rubbish, unsightly scrap metal piles, broken appliances, fallen trees, and other “eye-sore items.”
McCarty estimated that 90 percent of people who received letters had complied with requests to clean up unsightly items.
“These items are a safety concern,” he said. “Curious kids playing could hurt themselves.”
He said nuisance items encourage theft, attract various critters, and can be offensive to neighbors.
“It’s unfair to a neighbor who has to look at it or is trying to sell their property,” McCarty said.
He said the police department does not want to have to fine people. However, should a resident receive a letter from Marion police, he said it would explain violations.
Some residents have gone to court to contest violations, he said.
Letter recipients have 10 days to file an appeal. Letters also advises recipients of their rights if they want to contest it.
He noted that citywide spring cleanup day would be in April, when city crews would pick up certain larger nuisance items if residents wish to get rid of them.
More information is available from Marion Police Department at (620) 382-2615.