LETTER: How about enforcing existing laws before passing new ones?

Editor’s note: This letter was written in response to an article published on Feb. 25th: Citrus Heights passes parking ban for commercial vehicles on all streets

By Mark Mitchell, Citrus Heights–
The city just came up with another ordinance, not allowing semi tractor trailers to park on public streets. Good job, that’s great, but how about enforcing the laws that are already on the books? Like parking vehicles in your front yard on the grass or the dirt? Or how about the trailered boats that sit on our city streets or in neighborhoods?

Here’s an ordinance/law that works in Orange County, in Southern California.  It would employ a few folks, and help in beautifying the city.

Here it is: on street sweeping day twice a month, there’s signs posted on entrances to all neighborhoods, (OK, the start-up costs), street sweeping will be the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you’re caught on the street when the sweeper drives by the new city employee who follows the sweeper, takes a picture of the violator’s car license plate, and slaps a $25 ticket on the windshield.

Win, win, win situation, unless you’re the one getting a ticket. The city gets cleaner, the city employs a few more people, and the fines help defer the cost of the sweeper and their assistant.

And by the way, not sure if anyone’s even happy with whoever’s sweeping the streets now, because after they’re done, I’m cleaning up after them! Can’t make this stuff up.

And don’t even get me started about the trash pickup day… I’m sure that I’m not the only one picking up after they come by!

*No other letters on this topic were received as of March 3, 2023. The Sentinel welcomes letters to the editor submitted by residents about local issues and does not censor letters based on viewpoint. To submit a letter online, click here.