Sheboygan, WI (WHBL) – The Sheboygan Department of Public Works (DPW), isn’t kidding around when it comes to reigning in residents who put trash curbside too early.
Aside from being aesthetically unappealing, DPW Street Leadman Bruce Matzdorf says the greater issue is much more involved - and includes a collaborative effort between the city, law enforcement, and homeowners to maintain property values, and reduce crime.
“It’s not an aesthetics issue, putting it out early,” Matzdorf explains.
But, Matzdorf adds, when trash is placed curbside too early, it increases the risk of animals being attracted to the garbage, which results in trash being scattered throughout the neighborhood. That, he says, is where the potential for lowered property values come in.
“There is an ordinance because, what happens is if you drive down the street - even on normal garbage days - you’ll see birds or any type of creature ripping through it. It gets blown all over the place. It’s in your yard, it’s in my yard – and that’s where people want to take care of their properties,” Matzdorf says.
According to Sheboygan Police, there is also a criminal element that is typically associated with un-kept neighborhoods. Captain Steve Cobb says that criminals find these areas to be quite conducive for criminal behavior. “What the concept is, is that if you have places that appear to be disorderly, or appear to have people who don’t care what goes on in and around them, they will attract more crime, and disorder,” Cobb says.
For that reason, Cobb says it is not uncommon to see Sheboygan Police come knocking to serve citations to garbage curbside-violators.
Moreover, the fines, when combined with court costs, can quickly escalate for repeat offenders. A first time offense is roughly $75, but, when combined with court, more than doubles to $155. A second offense within a year costs $200, but grows to $313, with court fees tacked on. But, for a third violation within a year, the respective fees are $500, plus a $191 court cost, ($691).
So what happens to violators who still fail to get the point? Captain Cobb says there are laws on the books to handle such cases as well. The Captain says, “Always our goal is to gain voluntary compliance, but its part of an escalating process. If voluntary compliance fails, the next step is usually citations. If citations fail to make this point, then the next step is chronic nuisance property. If that fails to usher in change, then it may go to summary abatement.” The latter means the city would hire independent contractors to clean the property, ultimately, at the violator’s expense.
Most early-curbside incidents are amicably resolved using the aforementioned protocols but, in rare cases, Sheboygan police have made arrests. Typically, that results from the combination of ignoring citations altogether, and failure to appear in court.
The moral of the story is, if anyone feels ambitious enough to place garbage curbside too early - don’t! The rule is, no sooner that 5pm on the evening before scheduled pickup.