Law proposed to forcibly clean sidewalks

From the Epoch Times:

New York City Councilman David Greenfield is proposing the city clear sidewalks when property owners don’t and then charge them $250 or more.

“Current law does not provide enough motivation for many property owners to do the right thing,” said Greenfield in press release.

He wants to amend existing law and have the city do the work. That, “would actually result in ice-free sidewalks and additional revenue,” said Greenfield.

Greenfield is proposing to use temporary snow laborers to do the work. The city already has a database of such workers to call when needed.

“Existing law doesn’t get to the heart of the problem,” said Greenfield’s communications director, Conor Greene.

When property owners don’t clear their walks the city can fine them, but if they still don’t clear the sidewalk, it will remain icy.

But what about city-owned property?

From the Daily News:

An elderly woman took a tumble on Monday at the intersection of 74th St. and 57th Ave. in Maspeth, thrown for a loop as she tried to make her way to the supermarket.

She was left bloodied and bruised by the incident, said Robert Holden of the Juniper Park Civic Association.

Sanitation Department spokesman Vito Turso said he wasn’t sure which agency was responsible for the 74th St. sidewalk that claimed the woman on Monday.

“Resources are allocated on a priority basis with tens of thousands of crosswalks and thousands of bus stops and hydrants coming first before little used sidewalks adjoining a highway,” Turso said.

Transportation officials pledged to inspect the location on Tuesday.