Days After Blizzard, Absentee Owners Still Neglecting Sidewalks
(CBS) -- Aggravation over the big snow continues. Now, it's unshoveled sidewalks in front of vacant lots that angers Bronzeville residents.
Neighbors are still tackling sidewalks there, trying to avoid a $50 to $100 dollar ticket and clear a path in front of their property. It's frustrating, they say, when others don't do the same.
"All our kids are walking around in the streets when they come home from school. The bus is going around, cars are going by, the police are going by. It's just like they don't care," says Connie Maxwell.
Her anger is aimed at the property owners of the vacant lots. According to the 3rd Ward alderman, there are 1,500 privately owned empty lots, and their owners are responsible for shoveling the sidewalks or they face a $1,000 fine.
Joan Jackson points to the scores of empty, abandoned or foreclosed properties in the area that also contribute to the snow-packed sidewalks.
A city ordinance says banks are responsible for clearing sidewalks at foreclosed properties. Sidewalks in front of abandoned houses must be shoveled by the current owners.
Jerome Segura wants city crews to clear the pavement in front of vacant city lots. That number is also about 1,500, according to the 3rd Ward office.
