[Durham INC] Durham Reminds Residents to Mow Lawns

[Blalock, Amy]

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CITY OF DURHAM
Office of Public Affairs
101 City Hall Plaza
Durham, NC 27701

News Release


News Media Contact:
Amy Blalock
Sr. Public Affairs Specialist
(919) 560-4123 x 11253
(919) 475-7735 (cell)
Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov<mailto:Amy.Blalock at DurhamNC.gov>
http://Facebook.com/CityofDurhamNC
http://Twitter.com/CityofDurhamNC
http://YouTube.com/CityofDurhamNC


For Immediate Release: June 20, 2014



Share!  Durham reminds residents to mow their lawns; http://bit.ly/1plMpOG


Durham Reminds Residents to Mow Lawns

DURHAM, N.C. - Summer and rain are guaranteed to grow your lawn. While it's a chore that many don't enjoy, the City of Durham is reminding property owners to regularly mow their lawns.

According to the City's Neighborhood Improvement Services Department, since April 1st, code enforcement officers have responded to more than 900 complaints of too tall grass, resulting in unsightly neighborhoods and numerous citations that could cost property owners at least $250 in fines. "Our code enforcement officers are swamped right now with complaints about tall grass and we really need our property owners to take the time to mow their lawns so our officers can focus on other issues that impact our quality of life," said Director Constance Stancil. "We don't want to issue notices of violation or levy fines. We simply want folks to embrace their neighborhoods by regularly mowing their lawns, and if possible, help out their elderly or disabled neighbors to keep their lawns mowed as well."

To help remind property owners to mow their lawns this growing season, the department is kicking off an educational campaign by posting reminders to community list serves, on Durham Television Network, on the City's social media channels, and advertising on several channels with Time Warner Cable.

According to Stancil, too tall grass is more than just an aesthetic issue...it's a health issue too. "Weeds and undergrowth over 12 inches tall provide a harborage for rodents, vermin, mosquitoes and other pests," Stancil said. "This increases the hazards of disease, injury or fire as well as creates hazards to the health, safety and welfare of your yard and your neighborhood."

For more information about the City's weed, junk and debris ordinance or the responsibilities of property owners, visit http://bit.ly/1oH6jaM.



About the Neighborhood Improvement Services Department

The Neighborhood Improvement Services Department works to preserve and improve quality of life conditions for Durham residents, and to encourage active participation in neighborhood redevelopment and public policy and decision making dialogue. The department is responsible for enforcement of quality of life ordinances and state statutes including the City's Minimum Housing Code; Nonresidential Code; Weedy Lot, Abandoned & Junk Vehicle ordinances; and the State of North Carolina's Unsafe Building Statute. The department's rapid responders, known as the Impact Team, remediate non-compliant housing properties; abate public nuisances, such as litter, graffiti, illegal dumping, and abandoned shopping carts; and conduct neighborhood service projects. The department's Community Engagement staff provides outreach and education to Durham residents and community organizations. Guided by the City's Strategic Plan, the department helps ensure that Durham has thriving, livable neighborhoods by providing the highest quality of services to engage and educate the community, eradicating blight, ensuring safer neighborhoods and enhancing neighborhood revitalization. For more information, visit http://DurhamNC.gov/ich/cb/nis/Pages/Home.aspx.


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