City cracking down on junk laws

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Russellville officials are about to step up their efforts in enforcing the city's junk and garbage ordinances.
The Russellville Police Department is cracking down on unsightly yards by enforcing city ordinances pertaining to garbage, litter, junk and inoperative vehicles in yards.
Police Chief Chris Hargett said there is a problem with residents violating the city ordinances that require them to keep their yards clean and free of junk.
"We know the weather has been cold, but now that it is warming up outside, everyone needs to make sure their yards comply with city ordinances," Hargett said.
There are three main ordinances in Russellville that dictate the condition of yards.
One ordinance states that property must be free of litter and garbage.
The inoperative vehicle and junk or discarded furniture ordinances state that vehicles without tags and that cannot be operated should not be parked in yards, and that furniture and junk should not be found in yards.
The unlawful growth ordinance mandates that the owner mow his or her grass in the summertime.
Hargett said all of the ordinances are enforced by the compliance officer who makes sure they are followed.
"The compliance officer finds about 20 homes per week in violation of one or more of these ordinances," Hargett said. "Once the resident is found to be not complying, he or she is given 10 business days to comply."
Hargett said that if the resident does not comply within the given amount of time, a non-traffic citation is issued and he or she must report to court.
"This isn't like a traffic ticket where you can just pay it and not come to court, once you are issued this citation, you have to go to court," Hargett said.
Once the resident reports to court, Municipal Judge Chad Coker decides what course of action to take.
Recently, Coker ordered a resident to serve 90 days in jail and pay a $500 fine because he did not comply to the ordinances and was given ample time to rectify the situation.
"Everyone needs to realize that not complying to city ordinances is breaking the law," Hargett said. "And there are consequences when you break any law."