MOUNT CARMEL - Violations were down in this year's walking tour by Mayor J. Kevin Jones.
The four-day tour, conducted in late June, was the final one for Jones, who is not seeking reelection.
Code enforcement officer Robin Williams said 23 tickets were issued to property owners throughout the borough. Warnings were issued regarding 12 other properties, and 31 other properties had issues that had to be taken care of right away, either by the owner or the borough if no owner was found.
"We had a mixture of repeat offenders and some that just forgot about it, but have cleared up the problems," Williams said. "The numbers are down thanks to the quality-of-life ordinance."
The ordinance, passed in May, allows code enforcement and police officers to issue tickets similar to parking tickets when code violations - such as trash, high weeds, animal feces and snow and ice accumulation - are discovered.
"Usually with the first ticket comes a fine of $25 and then, if no response comes within 30 days, it becomes a citation and we go to the magistrate for the fine," Williams said.
The warnings issued were for a new ordinance which keeps ATVs, motorcycles and trailers off borough sidewalks.
The breakdown, by ward, according to Williams, is as follows:
First Ward - four tickets issued, five warnings, 10 properties addressed.
Second Ward - 11 tickets issued, two warnings, nine properties addressed.
Third Ward - three tickets, one warning, seven properties addressed.
Fourth Ward - five tickets, four warnings and five properties addressed.
Citizens have responded
Jones started the walking tours when he took office 16 years ago. He said citizens have responded.
"I can remember walking home from church on a Sunday and the borough sounded like an airplane engine with all the mowers running at the same time," Jones said.
The mayor said there has been some improvement over the years, but there are always some who don't care.
"If it wasn't being done, the problem, I think, would be a lot worse," Jones said of his yearly tour.
"It's definitely been a help to me," Williams said. "It's always good to have an extra set of eyes looking around possibly seeing something I've missed on my patrols."
Williams said he has talked to Philip "Bing" Cimino, mayoral nominee for both parties, and has been assured the walking tours will continue in one form or another if he is elected.