Yes, leaving a trash cart out is a problem
Robert Damora is in trouble of his own making.
Like many people in trouble, he doesn’t see what he has done as all that wrong. He calls it “ludicrous.”
Welcome to the world of code compliance in a large urban area like Fort Worth.
It’s a world populated by people who don’t seem to see the harm in things like trash and debris on their front lawn, weeds allowed to grow too high, a vehicle parked on a lawn or, worst case, junk vehicles and substandard structures.
Or even, as in Damora’s case, leaving trash carts out too long.
Star-Telegram reporter Deanna Boyd chronicled Damora’s troubles and complaints in Thursday’s newspaper.
“This is really drastic,” Damora said. “You’re a criminal because you left your trash cans out.”
Well, yes. But you almost have to work at it to let it get that bad.
Damora received a warning and later a citation from a code compliance officer for leaving his trash carts out too long. And when he didn’t do everything to satisfy that citation, a warrant was issued for his arrest.
It’s not like Damora is a stranger to the code enforcement process.
City records show that officers have responded to his residence several times since 2007 because of neighbors’ complaints.
Mostly, it was because of debris and items stored in his front yards.
But as is typical in the world of code compliance, officers told him what to do to set things right, and he did it. Cases closed.
Citations only come later in the process and only if the problems are not corrected.
Fort Worth compliance officers investigated more then 41,000 code complaints in fiscal 2015.
About 60 percent were initiated by the officers and the rest by residents’ complaints.
That includes 111 citations for waste-cart violations like putting out bulk garbage too early or improperly storing carts.
Arrest warrants were issued in 33 cases, not much for a city the size of Fort Worth.
So, why the fuss about trash carts?
Why is this even in the same realm as substandard structures and piles of trash and debris — you know, real health hazards?
It’s because urban blight is insidious. A little blight can breed a lot of blight.
A neighborhood strewn with trash carts doesn’t just damage the “keep Fort Worth beautiful” effort. It’s a start down a slippery slope.
Damora has hired an attorney to help him deal with his troubles.
It’s easier just to put your trash carts away and do the other things necessary to keep your property up to code standards so we can all enjoy the city we live in.
This story was originally published September 8, 2016 at 5:44 PM with the headline "Yes, leaving a trash cart out is a problem."